Jays RHP Max Scherzer (thumb) moves closer to return

For the first time since exiting his Toronto Blue Jays debut on March 29 with right thumb inflammation, three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer faced hitters on Wednesday in Anaheim, Calif.

Scherzer, 40, who is eligible to be activated off the 60-day disabled list on May 29, drew praise from his manager before the Blue Jays faced the Los Angeles Angels.

"Good, really good," Toronto skipper John Schneider said. "Twenty pitches after he threw in the 'pen. And then I thought standing back there, his stuff was really good. ... So that's a really good step in the right direction."

Scherzer, who told Schneider after the session that he felt fine, is slated to face hitters again in Seattle this weekend -- and throw more pitches -- before the Blue Jays determine the next step in the process. Per Schneider, the veteran right-hander appears to be dealing with less tightness and soreness than earlier in his IL stint.

In his one start, Scherzer allowed two solo homers in the first inning and three hits overall before exiting after three innings in Toronto's 9-5 loss to the Baltimore Orioles.

Scherzer has had trouble staying healthy the last three-plus seasons, with seven IL stints since 2022.

The eight-time All-Star is 216-112 with a 3.16 ERA and 3,408 strikeouts in 467 games (458 starts) with seven teams over 18 seasons.

--Field Level Media