On Friday, Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Max Scherzer had a chance to make history, but fell short. Scherzer, who is only one strikeout away from hitting 3,500 career strikeouts, instead put up one of the worst starts of the season in a 8-6 loss to the Cleveland Guardians.
Now, Scherzer will have to wait a bit longer to try again. Toronto announced Monday that they have place Scherzer on the 15-day injured list with right forearm tendinitis and left ankle inflammation.
To replace him, the Blue Jays have called up Chase Lee.
ROSTER MOVES:
🔹 RHP Max Scherzer placed on 15-day IL (right forearm tendinitis, left ankle inflammation)
🔹 RHP Chase Lee recalled from Triple-A and will be active tonight pic.twitter.com/fEMisHJuxb
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) April 27, 2026
Scherzer’s most recent start on Friday was a disaster, with the veteran pitcher allowing seven runs and six hits (including three home runs) in 2 1/3 innings before he was pulled. It’s unclear whether he was pushing through injuries during that start, but he will now take a break to recover.
With Scherzer out, the Blue Jays’ starting rotation goes back into flux. Toronto has lost a number of starting pitchers already this season, with Cody Ponce suffering a knee injury in his first MLB game in five years and Shane Biebers going on 60-day IL earlier this month.
However, the Blue Jays will be getting some reinforcements: Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi reported this weekend that Trey Yesavage, who started the season on IL, is set to return to the rotation on Tuesday. José Berríos is also ramping back up after missing the start of the year with injury.
Dylan Cease is expected to start for Toronto on Monday, as the Blue Jays open a series against the Boston Red Sox. Eric Lauer, who has bounced between the starting rotation and the bullpen throughout the season to accomodate those injuries, will likely stay in the rotation to replace Scherzer.