Scherzer says thumb injury behind him, ready for Opening Day

Less than a week after re-signing with the Toronto Blue Jays, Max Scherzer says he'll be ready for the start of the 2026 MLB season.

"I feel good," Scherzer said Tuesday, according to Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. "I feel healthy. I just want to pitch."

The 41-year-old added that a thumb issue that nagged him for much of the 2025 season is completely behind him.

Scherzer plans to pitch multiple innings against the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday in spring training, according to Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith.

The three-time Cy Young Award winner reportedly inked a one-year, $3-million deal to return to the Blue Jays, with incentives that could raise the contract's value to $10 million. Scherzer, who started Game 7 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers for Toronto last season, recorded a 5.19 ERA across 17 starts in 2025.

The Blue Jays' starting pitch depth gets added insurance with Scherzer's arrival. He joins a group that includes Kevin Gausman, Trey Yesavage, José Berríos, Dylan Cease, and Cody Ponce. Shane Bieber is dealing with forearm fatigue but is expected to rejoin the rotation during the season.