Blue Jays place veteran RHP Max Scherzer on IL because of back spasms

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Published Jun 17, 2026  •  Last updated 12 minutes ago  •  2 minute read

Max Scherzer of the Toronto Blue Jays reacts after striking out Kyle Schwarber of the Philadelphia Phillies for his 3,500th career strikeout in the first inning of their MLB game at Rogers Centre on June 10, 2026 in Toronto. Photo by Cole Burston /Getty Images

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Even when he has been healthy, which hasn’t been often during his time in Toronto, Max Scherzer hasn’t exactly been the model of consistency.

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But it’s his presence, be it on the mound, in the dugout or in the clubhouse, that makes the veteran right-hander a coveted piece, or at least someone worthy of sticking around.

Once again, though, Scherzer has landed on the injured list, on the same day he was scheduled to pitch Wednesday at Boston’s Fenway Park. With Scherzer unavailable, the Blue Jays used Braydon Fisher as an opener for 1 1/3 innings, followed by Simeon Woods Richardson.

The culprit of Scherzer’s latest setback is back spasms.

“This is a time thing,” Scherzer told the assembled media in Beantown. “It’s a back spasm. It’s nothing more than that.”

At least that’s the hope, as the Jays’ starting rotation has been hit hard so often that it’s easy to lose count.

Speaking of hits, opposing hitters have feasted on Scherzer.

Despite his poor performance, the club continues to maintain that it has not lost faith in Scherzer.

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Rest is being prescribed with the big unknown involving when Scherzer will again be seen on a mound.

“I’m frustrated,” continued Scherzer when discussing his trials and tribulations with reporters. “I wanted to get in that rhythm, I wanted to be out there. My arm feels like it’s in a really great spot right now, but I can’t go.”

His belief remains unwavering when it comes to helping the Jays win, but what else is he going to say?

There is no telling how much time he will miss, no telling how much time Scherzer will require in building back up, which leads to the question no one associated with the franchise is willing to ask: Is Scherzer’s time with the Blue Jays over?

The back spasm, according to Scherzer, surfaced on the weekend.

Scherzer was by no means elite last year, his first with the Jays, but his competitive spirit and willingness to do anything to win, was evident when he got the ball in some of the club’s biggest post-season games.

“I absolutely have the utmost belief that I can be out there, I can be pitching, I can be helping the team win,’’ continued Scherzer in Beantown.

“Nothing that has happened has changed that.”

The soon-to-be 42-year-old has pitched 22 innings this season, sporting a 10.23 ERA, while recording 14 strikeouts and issuing 11 free passes.

His most recent start came last week against the Phillies. In that game, Scherzer gave up five hits, including two home runs, in 3.1 innings.

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