Max Scherzer’s rehab stint put on pause, manager John Schneider reveals

Three cortisone injections, per the skipper, were necessary for Scherzer’s right thumb.

Published Jul 17, 2026  •  Last updated 1 hour ago  •  3 minute read

Max Scherzer of the Toronto Blue Jays records his 3500th career strikeout by fanning Kyle Schwarber of the Philadelphia Phillies 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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The Blue Jays resurface from baseball’s all-star break and they still can’t catch a break on the injury front.

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For the first time since their 9-3 win over the New York Mets on Canada Day, the Jays were back at Rogers Centre Friday night.

With the air quality being less than ideal, the stadium’s roof was closed for the series opener against the Chicago White Sox.

Prior to first pitch, Jays manager John Schneider opened up by providing updates on several of his injured players.

Starting pitching remains one of the club’s biggest concerns and the news surrounding Max Scherzer isn’t very encouraging.

Schneider used the term “pause” when discussing the veteran right-hander and his potential return to the big-league club.

Three cortisone injections, per the skipper, were necessary for Scherzer’s right thumb.

The future hall of famer made a rehab outing with the class-A Canadians in Vancouver, where fans clamored to see Scherzer.

He then joined the Blue Jays in Seattle, where the club began its nine-game trip prior to the all-star break.

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Needless to say, it’s anyone’s guess when Scherzer will be pitching for the Blue Jays.

He has made only six appearances for the club in 2026, and has a 1-4 record with a 10.23 ERA. In 22.0 innings, Scherzer has allowed nine home runs.

His former teammate with the Washington Nationals, Patrick Corbin, was signed to a $1-million deal to help address the Jays’ lack of depth in the rotation.

For the most part, Corbin exceeded all expectations until the inevitable return to reality played out, prompting the Jays to move the left-hander to the bullpen.

Besides starting pitching, another area of need as MLB’s Aug. 3 trade deadline approaches is a power bat.

That is an area in which Addison Barger was once viewed as a key piece, especially in the wake of last year’s post-season run.

So far, Barger has been a complete non-factor as he continues to deal with injuries.

The news on the Barger front wasn’t ideal, either, when Schneider provided an update on his corner outfielder.

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When the subject of Barger was last broached, he was dealing with elbow and back issues.

Schneider said Friday that Barger has yet to begin any activity, which does not bode well.

Barger has appeared in only nine games this season, recording one hit in 22 at-bats, while striking out seven times.

The free-agent bat the Jays had hoped would serve them well was Anthony Santander, who was coming off a career season with the Baltimore Orioles in 2024.

His first season in Toronto in 2025 was plagued by injury, limiting Santander to only 54 appearances.

His second season has been even worse because he has yet to play a game and may never play a game this season if his shoulder issue continues to be a pain in the neck, both for Santander and the club that doled out the money to sign him.

Much like Scherzer, Santander required a cortisone injection.

He will be sidelined, per Schneider, for as long as one week before resuming activity.

Meanwhile, outfielder Jesus Sanchez, currently on the 10-day IL with an ankle injury, is scheduled to hit against live pitching Saturday and resume base-running next week with the hope of beginning a rehab assignment as part of the ongoing process.

In addition, reliever Yimi Garcia is scheduled to throw live BP Saturday in Dunedin, Fla., as he works his way back from the 60-day IL.

When healthy, Garcia was used in leverage.

His elbow hasn’t been healthy, which is why the right-hander has yet to appear in a game this season.

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