The Toronto Blue Jays faced another worrying moment on Monday night when veteran pitcher Max Scherzer was removed from the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers after just two innings. The early exit has raised fresh concerns for a pitching staff that is already struggling with multiple injuries.
Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young Award winner and future Hall of Famer, threw only 36 pitches before being replaced. The sudden decision came before the start of the third inning, when the Blue Jays coaching staff walked onto the field to signal a pitching change.
Left-hander Josh Fleming entered the game in relief, taking over on the mound as Toronto tried to stabilize the situation.
Early Struggles on the Mound
Scherzer’s outing was short and difficult. He allowed two runs on two hits during his two innings of work while also issuing one walk and striking out two batters.
The biggest moment came in the first inning when Teoscar Hernández hit a two-run home run. The blast drove in Kyle Tucker, who had reached base earlier with a walk.
Despite the early damage, Scherzer managed to limit further scoring and worked through the second inning before being removed from the game.
Max Scherzer vs Dodgers – Game Summary
| Stat | Performance |
|---|---|
| Innings Pitched | 2 |
| Pitches Thrown | 36 |
| Hits Allowed | 2 |
| Runs Allowed | 2 |
| Walks | 1 |
| Strikeouts | 2 |
Drop in Velocity Raises Questions
Another notable point during Scherzer’s appearance was the drop in his fastball velocity. His average fastball speed during the outing was around 92.1 mph.
In a previous start earlier in the season, his fastball had averaged around 93.4 mph, indicating a noticeable decline.
During the game, cameras captured Scherzer telling the Blue Jays dugout that he was “OK,” but the team still decided to remove him before the third inning began.
Blue Jays Rotation Already Hit by Injuries
Scherzer’s early exit comes at a difficult time for Toronto. The team’s starting rotation has already been hit hard by injuries early in the season.
Several pitchers are currently unavailable, putting extra pressure on the remaining arms and the bullpen.
Blue Jays Starting Pitchers Currently on the Injured List
| Pitcher | Injury |
|---|---|
| Trey Yesavage | Shoulder impingement |
| Shane Bieber | Elbow inflammation |
| José Berríos | Elbow stress fracture |
| Cody Ponce | ACL sprain |
| Bowden Francis | Injury status |
With so many starters unavailable, the Blue Jays have had to rely heavily on bullpen pitchers and call-ups from the minor leagues.
Short Starts Becoming a Pattern
Toronto has now seen two consecutive games where the starting pitcher lasted only two innings.
The previous day, another Blue Jays starter also exited early after dealing with illness. These short outings have forced the bullpen to cover large portions of games.
In recent days, pitchers such as Lazaro Estrada and Austin Voth have stepped in to handle extended relief duties.
Blue Jays Add Reinforcements
In an effort to strengthen their pitching depth, the Blue Jays recently signed left-hander Patrick Corbin to a one-year deal.
Corbin has already begun his work with the organization, making a start at the minor-league level where he allowed just one run over five innings.
Toronto will hope that additional reinforcements can help stabilize the rotation while injured pitchers work their way back.
The Blue Jays entered the season with high expectations but have quickly found themselves dealing with major pitching challenges.
Read more: Dan Hurley and Wife Andrea Hurley Relationship Timeline
Scherzer was brought in on a one-year contract to add experience and leadership to the staff. If his health becomes an issue, it could further complicate Toronto’s rotation plans.
For now, the team will closely monitor Scherzer’s condition and wait for further updates while continuing to manage a pitching staff stretched thin by injuries.
Add as a preferred source on Google
