Blue Jays' rotation getting healthier with Cease (Tues.), Scherzer (Wed.) returning

The Blue Jays have spent much of this season trying to get by with an injury-depleted rotation. But their starting staff is about to be as healthy as its been all year.

Dylan Cease is set to return from a mild left hamstring strain on Tuesday against the Phillies, setting up a marquee matchup against Philadelphia's Zack Wheeler. Max Scherzer, who has been sidelined since late April while dealing with right forearm tendinitis and left ankle inflammation, will follow on Wednesday as Toronto wraps up its three-game series against Philadelphia at Rogers Centre.

The Blue Jays dropped the first game of the series on Monday, 5-2, and are 32-35 on the season.

Cease missed two starts after exiting his May 24 outing with the hamstring issue, which landed him on the IL the following day.

Signed to a seven-year, $210 million deal in free agency, Cease has posted a 3.05 ERA with 92 strikeouts over 62 innings this season. He was leading the American League in K’s when his IL stint began.

Scherzer’s season has been much rockier. The three-time Cy Young Award, who re-signed with the Blue Jays on March 2 for $3 million on a one-year contract, allowed 20 runs in 18 2/3 innings (9.64 ERA) before going on the IL.

The 41-year-old is far removed from his heyday, but he showed last October that he could still be a trusted postseason arm when he posted a 3.77 ERA over three playoff starts for Toronto.

The Blue Jays are also awaiting the return of Shane Bieber, who has missed the entire season due to right elbow inflammation. Bieber is scheduled to make his fourth rehab start on Thursday for Triple-A Buffalo, but Toronto may need to see better results before activating the 2020 AL Cy Young Award winner. He allowed eight runs over seven innings in his first three rehab outings.

Those aren’t even the only starting pitching injuries the Blue Jays have had to withstand in 2026. Trey Yesavage missed the first month of the season with a right shoulder impingement, José Berríos (Tommy John surgery) is out for the season and Cody Ponce (right ACL surgery) isn't expected back this year, either.

Veteran left-hander Patrick Corbin wasn't even with the Blue Jays on Opening Day, as he signed with Toronto as a free agent on April 3, but his 12 starts put him second on the club behind Kevin Gausman (14).

All told, the Blue Jays' starting staff ranks 14th in the Majors with a 4.05 ERA.