TORONTO -- Last weekend, Max Scherzer went into his start against the D-backs just two strikeouts away from becoming the 11th pitcher in MLB history to reach 3,500. Two starts later, he still isn’t there.
Scherzer was hit hard by the Guardians in Friday’s 8-6 loss, allowing seven runs over 2 1/3 innings, which included three home runs and a couple of other balls that came awfully close. This start ballooned Scherzer’s ERA to 9.64, and with so many moving pieces in a rotation that has Trey Yesavage and José Berríos nearing their returns, Scherzer’s spot suddenly feels like the biggest question mark.
1. TURNING POINT: April 6 start
This was just Scherzer’s second start of the season, when he was limited to two innings by right forearm tendinitis. Scherzer was confident then that he’d gotten out in front of the issue and he’s been adamant that’s the case since, but after a strong Spring Training and excellent debut against the Rockies on March 31, something has clearly shifted.
In the four starts since then, here’s Scherzer’s line:
12.2 IP
19 ER
6 HR
7 BB
6 K
“It just stinks to lose this one. All of the other guys in the clubhouse did their job,” Scherzer said. “The offense fought. The bullpen came in and stepped up to cover some innings there. It stinks to have a clunker out there. I’ve got to watch the tape tomorrow and go back to work. That’s what you do. That’s part of the game. You get punched in the face, spit it out, wake back up, figure out what’s wrong then go back out there and compete again.”
Scherzer reiterated that his forearm issues have typically shown themselves in his recovery days, so he’ll need to wait to see how that feels over the weekend. He refused, however, to lay any blame or excuse in that direction.
“No, I would not characterize this start as the fault of my forearm,” Scherzer said.
2. SNAPSHOT: The (second) Martínez homer
Unfortunately, just referring to “the Angel Martínez home run” isn’t specific enough, as he launched two off Scherzer. It was his second, which ended Scherzer’s night in the third inning, that really captured the struggles Scherzer is facing.
Scherzer got himself into an 0-2 count with a pair of foul balls… but then Martínez fouled off the next five pitches, too. Scherzer’s next three pitches -- a curveball, a changeup and a slider -- all went for balls before Martínez launched the 3-2 pitch into the bleachers in right-center.
Scherzer simply wasn’t able to miss a bat in a spot where he needed to, turning an 0-2 count into a two-run home run on the 11th pitch of the at-bat.
Of the 39 swings Scherzer forced Friday, he got just two whiffs. The last time Scherzer had two or fewer whiffs as a starting pitcher in an outing that lasted 50+ pitches was nearly 15 years ago, on May 26, 2011.
3. WHAT’S NEXT?
The Blue Jays’ pitching injuries and their individual timelines require almost daily updates at this point, so here’s the latest on where it all stands:
Yesavage: Will meet with the Blue Jays today and tomorrow to decide on next steps, whether that is one more outing in Triple-A or being activated for the Red Sox series.
Berríos: Will make another rehab start Tuesday in Triple-A, which could be the final one he needs. That would line up Berríos to return as early as the Rays series in early May.
Shane Bieber: Is beginning his own version of Spring Training now, facing live hitters with plans to move into game action soon. General manager Ross Atkins ballparked that timeline at around one month, which kicks it to late May. But the Blue Jays will be cautious with this build-up, so Bieber won’t be part of the equation in the next few weeks.
In March, when it looked like the Blue Jays could have seven, or even eight, healthy, MLB-caliber starters, manager John Schneider repeatedly said that the best five starters would be in the rotation. Scherzer is the biggest name on this staff and a future Hall of Famer, but if this rotation gets two healthy arms back soon, the Blue Jays will face a decision on who helps them the most right here, right now.