Max Scherzer’s future in the Blue Jays’ rotation appears to be in question after another rough outing Friday and with a few injured arms seemingly set to return soon.
The 41-year-old Scherzer, who returned for another bite at the apple after the team lost Game 7 of the World Series last season, has badly struggled through three of his five starts so far.
He lasted just 2 1/3 innings against Cleveland on Friday, coughing up seven runs on six hits with three walks and three home runs allowed in an 8-6 home loss.
Scherzer didn’t strike out a single batter either after recording just one punch-out in his last start against the Diamondbacks.
“It just stinks to lose this one. All of the other guys in the clubhouse did their job,” Scherzer told reporters.
“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 get back to work.”
Making matters more pressing for Toronto is that Trey Yesavage, Jose Berrios and Shane Bieber are all starting to circle dates to return from their respective injuries.
Scherzer is staying in the rotation, for now, with the team instead demoting Eric Lauer to the bullpen with Yesavage returning from his shoulder impingement Tuesday against the Red Sox, per MLB.com.
Berrios (right elbow stress fracture) has a rehab start Tuesday in Buffalo, which could be his last as well.
Bieber is not quite as far along, with a return expected in late May, but he too will only be out so long.
Scherzer’s 9.64 ERA is by far the highest in the Blue Jays’ current rotation, so if someone needs to be bumped out, it seems likely that it would be him.
He’s dealt with forearm tenditis this season too, but insisted his struggles don’t have anything to do with a recurrence.
“No, I would not characterize this start as the fault of my forearm,” Scherzer said.
