Scherzer won't pitch in WBC due to stress fracture in finger

Team USA's chances of winning the World Baseball Classic took a hit on Monday when the Washington Nationals announced right-hander Max Scherzer won't pitch in the event - which begins in March - due to a stress fracture in the knuckle of his right ring finger, according to MASNsports' Mark Zuckerman.

The Nationals did not provide details about how Scherzer injured his finger, but said he's expected to be ready for spring training.

The 32-year-old, winner of the 2016 National League Cy Young, was expected to headline a formidable American pitching staff along with the likes of Chris Archer, Andrew Miller, Marcus Stroman, and Danny Duffy.

Scherzer dominated the NL last season, posting a 20-7 record with 284 strikeouts and a 2.96 ERA across 228 1/3 innings, en route to the second Cy Young of his nine-year career.

Team USA - which plays its first contest of the WBC on March 10 - is part of a tough Pool C that includes the defending champion Dominican Republic, along with Colombia and Canada.