[MyDaily = Kim Jin-seong] \"Arm checked out.\"
Max Scherzer, 42, was placed on the 15-day injured list on April 28 (KST) due to right forearm tendinitis and inflammation in his left ankle. The Blue Jays confirmed the move after Scherzer pitched through forearm discomfort earlier in the season, but the veteran ultimately couldn’t continue under those conditions.
MLB.com reported Scherzer has been dealing with forearm tendinitis since his second start of the season. He also aggravated his left ankle during his delivery in his most recent outing on April 25 against the Cleveland Guardians. \"I could tell I wasn’t right,\" Scherzer said. \"I don’t feel I’m in a position to move forward. April is early in the season, and now is the time to fix it.\"
Scherzer said neither issue appears to be severe. \"I’d been really worried about my forearm since the Minnesota game on the 13th — it checked out then,\" he said. \"I also almost fell out of bed and could have seriously hurt myself because of my foot.\"
Through five starts this season, Scherzer is 1-3 with a 9.64 ERA. At 42, his velocity and command aren’t what they once were. Even if the injuries are minor, there’s no guarantee on a return timeline or on his effectiveness once he’s back — making him an uncertain piece for Toronto's rotation.
The Blue Jays already face rotation instability. Cody Ponce and Bowden Francis have been lost for the season — Ponce with a torn ACL and Francis undergoing Tommy John surgery. José Berríos and Shane Bieber are expected to need additional time to recover. Kevin Gausman, Dylan Cease and Trey Yasevich have completed rehab and are ready to return, while Eric Lauer, who had struggled most, has been moved to the bullpen.
MLB.com noted that Scherzer’s move to the IL could open the door for Lauer to re-enter the rotation or be used as a bulk reliever (+1 pitcher). Lauer publicly expressed displeasure after his first use in that role, telling manager John Schneider he \"really hated it.\" That was a rare public pushback after he had earlier insisted he wanted to remain a starter.
If Toronto turns Lauer into a bulk reliever again, another confrontation with Schneider could follow and might even lead to a trade or release. And if Berríos and Bieber return to health, there simply won’t be a rotation spot for Lauer.
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