Report: Scherzer returning to Blue Jays on 1-year, $3M deal

The Toronto Blue Jays are re-signing veteran starter Max Scherzer to a one-year pact with a $3-million base salary that is worth up to $10 million in incentives, reports Sportsnet's Shi Davidi.

Scherzer posted a 5.19 ERA in 17 starts for the Blue Jays last season. He showed flashes of previous form late in the campaign when he authored a 3.34 ERA in six August starts.

The 41-year-old made three outings in Toronto's postseason run to the World Series, including starts in Game 3 and Game 7 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Scherzer had a 3.77 ERA in 14 1/3 playoff innings.

It will be the 19th MLB season for the future Hall of Famer.

The Blue Jays adding Scherzer gives the defending AL champions another arm in what projects to be a very strong pitching staff. Toronto returns Kevin Gausman, Trey Yesavage, and José Berríos, and also signed Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce in free agency. Last year's midseason addition, Shane Bieber, has forearm fatigue and is ramping up this spring, while Bowden Francis will miss the entire campaign after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

Scherzer is an eight-time MLB All-Star, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, and a two-time World Series champion. He joined the Blue Jays in January 2025 on a one-year, $15.5-million contract.