Scherzer hints at playing in 2026: Not 'the last pitch I've ever thrown'

Retirement might not be in the cards for Max Scherzer after all.

Scherzer, the Toronto Blue Jays' starting pitcher in Saturday's Game 7 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers, hinted afterward he's keeping the door open for a return next season.

"I think I'll give a full answer on that later, but I will say this: I just don't see how that's the last pitch I've ever thrown," Scherzer told reporters, according to TSN.

Scherzer, 41, has played in the majors since 2008, prompting some to wonder if he would retire following his 18th season and the Blue Jays' first World Series appearance in 32 years.

He performed well in Game 7, recording three strikeouts and allowing one earned run and one walk across 4 1/3 innings. Scherzer left the field to a standing ovation from Blue Jays fans at Rogers Centre.

"I thought Max was really good," Blue Jays manager John Schneider said, according to Newsweek's Gabe Smallson. "I thought he was exactly what we thought he would be in a big game."

The Dodgers went on to stun the Blue Jays with a 5-4 victory in 11 innings, capturing their second straight World Series title.

Scherzer is regarded as one of the greatest pitchers of all time. He's an eight-time MLB All-Star, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, and a two-time World Series champion.

Scherzer joined the Blue Jays in January, signing a one-year, $15.5-million contract.