Blue Jays earn rare win in Max Scherzer’s birthday return from the IL

Published Jul 27, 2026  •  4 minute read

Max Scherzer of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches in the second inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Monday. Photo by Greg Fiume /Getty Images

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On his 42nd birthday, future first-ballot hall of famer Max Scherzer made his seventh start of the season and first since June 10.

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Fans at Nationals Park acknowledged Scherzer’s presence by accorded the veteran a resounding ovation.

A member of Washington’s World Series championship club in 2019, Scherzer acknowledged the faithful.

And so began Scherzer’s night, perhaps his final start for the Jays as MLB’s Aug. 3 trade deadline approaches.

It’s debatable whether any market will develop for a proven playoff pitcher whose best days are behind him.

One pitch into his start and Scherzer had already given up the game’s first hit.

The bases would be loaded with nobody until Scherzer recorded two successive strikeouts.

A fielding error by Alejandro Kirk when he failed to secure a pop-up in foul territory extended the inning.

Mad Max escaped the inning unscathed when he induced a groundout.

While no one knew what to expect from Scherzer, the first inning seemed to sum up the wild road he has endured this season, including injuries to seemingly every part of his anatomy.

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A total of 22 pitches were required to record the opening three outs.

Throw in the 28 pitches Scherzer tossed in the second, and it was clear his night would be short-lived.

His trademark competitive spirit was present, but Scherzer’s control, not surprisingly, wasn’t sharp.

A leadoff walk in the third was the third free pass issued by Scherzer.

By no means did he resemble the two-time Cy Young Award winner from his days in Washington, and neither did Scherzer look the part of last fall’s version of himself with the Jays.

Some slack must be given, especially on his 42nd birthday.

It did appear the Jays were giving Scherzer a symbolic gift on his big day when the more prudent move was to resort to a bullpen day.

Either way, the start did add some intrigue when nothing of substance surrounds the Jays other than what will play out in the days leading up to Monday’s trade deadline.

His outing began with ovations, it would end with ovations when Scherzer departed with two outs in the third inning.

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He recorded four strikeouts while allowing four stolen bases in Scherzer’s 75-pitch outing.

He survived and while he did not thrive, Scherzer battled.

If he stays on turn in the rotation, Scherzer’s next start with the Jays is this weekend.

Whether he’s still with the club remains the big unknown.

The following are three takeaways on a night the Jays won only their fourth game since the all-star break, a 3-2 victory over the Nationals, a night when Kazuma Okamoto stole his first big-league base, a night when closer Louis Varland survived a nervous ninth to record his 22nd save.

1. Vlad Jr. hustle

With one out in the fifth inning, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. went the opposite way on a sharply hit ball he turned into a double when he slid safely into the bag at second base on a head-first slide.

It was his 17th double of the season, which will do nothing to appease a disgruntled fan base pining for Vlad Jr. to go deep, especially at home.
Vlad Jr. would get thrown out at home plate on a run down.

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The Jays challenged the call, but the out was confirmed.

Monday’s double was Vlad Jr.’s seventh extra-base hit in July.

He had four in June.

2. Withering Kirk

Back in March of 2025, the Jays signed Kirk to a five-year extension worth a combined $58 million, money many viewed as a very positive step.

That take is now under review and scrutiny.

Money is the main and arguably the only reason why Kirk plays ahead of rookie Brandon Valenzuela, whose performance merits far more playing time.

Catching depth in the Jays’ system is limited, a big factor why it would be hard to see the club parting ways with Kirk.

Then again, if a deal is too good to pass up in the coming days all bets are off, or at least they should be.

He went 0-for-3 with a walk against the Nats as Kirk’s average dropped to .224.

3. Eureka Urias

In anticipation the Nationals would go with a bulk guy in lefty Andrew Alvarez to succeed opener Eddy Yean, a right-hander, the Jays went with a right-leaning look.

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Toronto’s starting lineup featured two left-handed bats in Nathan Lukes and Daulton Varsho.

Emphasizing right-handed hitters turned out to be the right choice, especially in the third inning, which began with Varsho grounding out.

Up stepped Luis Urias, who went deep on a 416-foot solo homer, his third of the season.

Urias doesn’t exactly cast an imposing shadow at the plate, but the guy has pop and has come through for the Jays since last month’s acquisition from the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Urias has hit half as many homers as Vlad Jr., who is making half a billion dollars.

Up Next

Shane Bieber has looked very good in his past two outings, perhaps good enough for potential suitors to inquire about his services; a pending free agent, Tuesday’s start might be his last with Toronto as the right-hander will only improve his trade value with a strong performance against the Nationals; Washington is scheduled to start RHP Cade Cavalli (6:45 p.m. first pitch).

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