Scherzer says he's fully healed from late-season ailments
Other than his electric fastball, intimidation factor, and three Cy Young awards, Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer is probably best known for his durability. He reached 200 innings pitched for the fifth straight time in 2017.
He only barely made it, finishing the year at 200 2/3 regular-season innings. Down the stretch and into the postseason, Scherzer dealt with nagging hamstring and neck injuries.
Nationals fans got some good news Saturday, though, as Scherzer told reporters that he's fully recovered from the pesky late-season injuries, according to MASN Sports' Mark Zuckerman.
The neck issue caused Scherzer to miss a couple weeks late in the season, while the hamstring injury cast doubt on his postseason status. He wound up pitching twice in the NLDS against the Chicago Cubs.
Even a wounded Scherzer is something to be reckoned with. In winning the third Cy Young of his career, he went 16-6 with a 2.51 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, and 268 strikeouts. With his current bill of health, he should be ready for spring training when pitchers and catchers report in February.