{"id":101512,"date":"2026-07-26T21:17:34","date_gmt":"2026-07-27T01:17:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/max-scherzer-returns-to-mound-on-42nd-birthday-to-face-former-team\/"},"modified":"2026-07-26T21:17:34","modified_gmt":"2026-07-27T01:17:34","slug":"max-scherzer-returns-to-mound-on-42nd-birthday-to-face-former-team","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/max-scherzer-returns-to-mound-on-42nd-birthday-to-face-former-team\/","title":{"rendered":"Max Scherzer Returns to Mound on 42nd Birthday to Face Former Team"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"450\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/news-1785115053826.jpg?resize=450%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-101511\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/news-1785115053826.jpg?w=450&amp;ssl=1 450w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/news-1785115053826.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>Max Scherzer is marking his 42nd birthday in a big way \u2014 by stepping back onto a major league mound for the first time in over a month.<\/p><p>Blue Jays manager John Schneider announced Sunday that Scherzer will be activated from the injured list to start Monday&#8217;s series opener against the Nationals in Washington. Rookie right-hander Spencer Miles will shift back to the bullpen to make room.<\/p><p>The veteran starter has been out of action since June 10, when back spasms landed him on the 15-day injured list shortly after his last appearance. His return was further delayed when he received three cortisone injections in his right thumb during the All-Star break.<\/p><p>Scherzer showed he was ready to return last Wednesday during a rehab start with Triple-A Buffalo, where he tossed five hitless innings and struck out seven batters. The only baserunner reached via an error, and Scherzer threw 56 total pitches, 40 of which were strikes.<\/p><p>Schneider indicated the team may keep a close eye on Scherzer&#8217;s pitch count in his first outing back, but said the veteran met all the necessary benchmarks for his return.<\/p><p>&#8220;Maybe a little bit limited in pitch count, but I think he kind of checked all the boxes,&#8221; Schneider said.<\/p><p>The Blue Jays are hopeful the extended time away gave Scherzer a chance to reset following a rough first half of the season. Through six starts, he posted a 1-4 record with a 10.23 ERA, giving up 25 earned runs across just 22 innings of work.<\/p><p>His comeback couldn&#8217;t come at a better time for a Toronto rotation that has been battered by injuries. The Blue Jays have dropped seven of their first 10 games since the All-Star break and are fighting to stay alive in the American League playoff race.<\/p><p>Monday&#8217;s game also carries some added significance \u2014 Scherzer will be pitching against a franchise where he enjoyed some of the finest moments of his career. He spent seven seasons in Washington from 2015 through 2021, earning two of his three Cy Young Awards and playing a key role in the Nationals&#8217; 2019 World Series championship.<\/p><p>Over 19 major league seasons, Scherzer has compiled a 222-121 record with a 3.27 ERA. He added another World Series ring with the Texas Rangers in 2023 and earlier this season reached the milestone of 3,500 career strikeouts while with Toronto.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Veteran pitcher Max Scherzer is set to rejoin the Toronto Blue Jays&#8217; starting rotation on Monday \u2014 his 42nd birthday \u2014 when the team travels to Washington to face the Nationals. Scherzer has been sidelined since June 10 due to back spasms and a right thumb issue requiring cortisone injections. The three-time Cy Young Award winner proved his readiness with a strong rehab outing last week at Triple-A Buffalo.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":101511,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[836],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-101512","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/news-1785115053826.jpg?fit=450%2C300&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pbtNqq-qpi","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":58302,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/veteran-pitcher-max-scherzer-sidelined-with-forearm-ankle-injuries\/","url_meta":{"origin":101512,"position":0},"title":"Veteran Pitcher Max Scherzer Sidelined with Forearm, Ankle Injuries","author":"Admin","date":"April 27, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Toronto Blue Jays veteran pitcher Max Scherzer has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to right forearm tendinitis and left ankle inflammation. The 41-year-old has been struggling just one strikeout away from reaching the 3,500 career milestone.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/sports\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1777328643785.jpg?fit=450%2C300&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":48115,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/veteran-pitcher-max-scherzer-exits-early-in-blue-jays-loss-to-dodgers\/","url_meta":{"origin":101512,"position":1},"title":"Veteran Pitcher Max Scherzer Exits Early in Blue Jays Loss to Dodgers","author":"Admin","date":"April 6, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Toronto Blue Jays ace Max Scherzer departed Monday's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers after just two innings, adding to the team's mounting pitching injuries. The 41-year-old three-time Cy Young winner's early exit compounds Toronto's rotation woes with four other starters already sidelined.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/sports\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775524052776.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775524052776.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775524052776.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775524052776.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":28866,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/young-daughters-letter-helps-convince-blue-jays-to-re-sign-veteran-pitcher\/","url_meta":{"origin":101512,"position":2},"title":"Young Daughter&#8217;s Letter Helps Convince Blue Jays to Re-Sign Veteran Pitcher","author":"Admin","date":"February 27, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Eight-year-old Brooke Scherzer wrote a heartfelt letter to the Toronto Blue Jays in December, expressing her hope that her father Max would return to the team. The veteran pitcher has now signed a $3 million one-year deal with Toronto, making his daughter's wish come true.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/sports\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1772213597388.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1772213597388.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1772213597388.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1772213597388.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":101224,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/ohtani-sits-out-bullpen-session-dodgers-await-full-recovery-before-mound-return\/","url_meta":{"origin":101512,"position":3},"title":"Ohtani Sits Out Bullpen Session, Dodgers Await Full Recovery Before Mound Return","author":"Admin","date":"July 25, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani skipped a planned bullpen session Saturday as the team waits for his irritated left knee to fully heal before he pitches again. Ohtani last took the mound in a game on July 3, though the knee issue has not kept him out of the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/sports\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/news-1785025898586.jpg?fit=1000%2C640&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/news-1785025898586.jpg?fit=1000%2C640&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/news-1785025898586.jpg?fit=1000%2C640&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/news-1785025898586.jpg?fit=1000%2C640&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":27648,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/veteran-pitcher-max-scherzer-signs-new-one-year-deal-with-blue-jays\/","url_meta":{"origin":101512,"position":4},"title":"Veteran Pitcher Max Scherzer Signs New One-Year Deal with Blue Jays","author":"Admin","date":"February 26, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer has inked a new one-year contract worth $3 million with the Toronto Blue Jays. The 41-year-old veteran pitcher can earn up to $10 million more through performance incentives.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/sports\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1772087495075.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1772087495075.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1772087495075.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1772087495075.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":31170,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/pitchers-8-year-old-daughter-writes-heartfelt-letter-to-blue-jays\/","url_meta":{"origin":101512,"position":5},"title":"Pitcher&#8217;s 8-Year-Old Daughter Writes Heartfelt Letter to Blue Jays","author":"Admin","date":"March 3, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Max Scherzer revealed his 8-year-old daughter secretly wrote a letter to the team asking them to re-sign her father. The heartwarming note, which his wife later shared on social media, expressed the family's love for Toronto and hope that the team would win the World Series.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/sports\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1772567316535.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1772567316535.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1772567316535.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1772567316535.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/101512","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=101512"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/101512\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/101511"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=101512"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=101512"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=101512"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}