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Scherzer has big-league catcher living with him during pandemic

Scott Taetsch / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Max Scherzer isn't going to let the coronavirus stop him from preparing for the regular season and he's got a fellow big leaguer living with him to help.

The Washington Nationals ace is housing Baltimore Orioles catcher Bryan Holaday and his wife at his Florida home.

"He was a catcher who caught me when I was with Detroit, and our wives have always been really good friends ever since, and we've always been good buds as well," Scherzer said on 106.7 The Fan's Grant and Danny Show on Thursday.

Holaday and his wife wound up living with Scherzer and his family because of circumstances related to the coronavirus outbreak.

"When we played the Orioles (in spring training), they actually came over and hung out with us, and the whole virus thing was starting to blow up," Scherzer explained. "So they kinda hunkered down with us and, obviously, (when) everything ... was getting shut down, we just kinda said, 'Hey, would you guys stay with us (during) this quarantine?'"

Scherzer mentioned that he and Holaday are training together and staying in shape in anticipation of baseball's return.

"We're just training in the mornings, playing catch," Scherzer said. "If I need to throw a bullpen (session) or two, he'll catch it. And if he needs me to flip some baseballs to him so he can hit into a net, I do that for him as well. Right now, we got a good little thing going."

Scherzer is coming off another stellar campaign in 2019. He posted an 11-7 record with a 2.92 ERA alongside 243 strikeouts in 172 1/3 innings, helping the Nationals win their first-ever World Series.

Holaday, meanwhile, was fighting for a roster spot on the rebuilding Orioles before baseball was shut down. He was in camp with them as a non-roster invitee.

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