Blue Jays’ Scherzer says sore right thumb feeling better after cortisone injection
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Max Scherzer provided an update on his injury status on Tuesday, revealing that he is hoping to resume playing catch in the next few days. This positive development comes after Scherzer received a cortisone injection to treat his sore right thumb, following a visit to a hand specialist in the United States.
The three-time Cy Young award winner had to exit his debut start with the Blue Jays against the Baltimore Orioles over the weekend after just three innings due to discomfort in his right lat muscle. Scherzer later attributed the lat soreness to his ongoing thumb issue, which had been bothering him for some time. Fortunately, he confirmed on Tuesday that the lat soreness has subsided.
As a result of his thumb inflammation, Toronto made the decision to place the 40-year-old veteran on the 15-day injured list. This setback is not entirely unexpected, as Scherzer had previously experienced thumb pain during spring training, leading to a delayed start in the preseason.
Despite the recent challenges, Scherzer remains a key addition to the Blue Jays’ pitching rotation after signing a one-year, $15.5 million US contract with the team in February. In his most recent season with the Texas Rangers, Scherzer posted a 2-4 record with a 3.95 earned-run average in nine starts. However, his performance was impacted by injuries, including lower back surgery that sidelined him at the beginning of the season, as well as shoulder fatigue and a left hamstring strain that limited his availability towards the end of the year.
During his last outing against the Orioles, Scherzer faced early struggles, giving up two first-inning home runs, including a 417-foot blast by Baltimore’s Colton Cowser on just the second pitch of the game. Despite this challenging start, Scherzer’s resilience and determination to overcome his current injury setbacks are evident as he aims to return to full strength and contribute to the Blue Jays’ success on the field.
