Scherzer, Gimenez among Blue Jays nearing return from injury
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Pitchers Max Scherzer and Nick Sandlin both threw bullpen sessions Tuesday afternoon as the Toronto Blue Jays' battered lineup is starting to heal.
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National Post
4 hours ago
- National Post
Blue Jays' Scherzer to start Wednesday, but can Hoffman close effectively?
Jeff Hoffman wasn't good on an afternoon in which a series against an inferior foe ultimately was lost. Article content Article content Following the Jays' 4-2 setback to the Chicago White Sox, manager John Schneider provided the team's starting rotation for a three-game series in Cleveland that begins Tuesday night. Eric Lauer gets the ball in the opener, Kevin Gausman in the series finale. Article content In Wednesday's game, Max Scherzer will usher in his return from a troublesome hand injury, which may or may not hold up. Article content 'That's a huge, huge addition for us,' said Schneider. Article content 'It's Max Scherzer. I'll take that any day of the week.' Article content As for Hoffman, he hasn't been the same closer the team or fans of the Jays first saw early in the season. Article content He has been prone to serving up home runs, and has looked spotty when games have been close. Article content 'It's the roller-coaster ride of a reliever,' said the skipper. Article content According to Schneider, Hoffman is trying to return to his early season form. Article content What's obvious is Hoffman's frustration. Article content 'It happens,' added Schneider. 'We trust the (crap) out of Jeff Hoffman. It's easy to blame him, but he's been on the other side of us winning games. Article content 'It's a tough stretch for him, but he'll come out ahead of it.' Article content What did in Hoffman on Sunday was his inability to put away hitters in two-strike counts. Article content 'He's got three put-away pitches. When they're really good, they're great. When you try to force it a little bit, those pitches tend to be in the zone.' Article content Hoffman did induce a weak come-backer off the bat of Andrew Benintendi. Hoffman couldn't secure the ground ball, however, and it dearly cost the Jays. Article content 'Nine times out of 10, (Hoffman) makes that play,' added Schneider. Article content Prior to Hoffman entering the game, Brendon Little issued a walk. Little eventually was charged with two unearned runs. Article content 'Walks usually come back to hurt you and it did (Sunday),' continued Schneider.
Toronto Sun
4 hours ago
- Toronto Sun
Blue Jays' Scherzer to start Wednesday, but can Hoffman close effectively?
Pitcher Max Scherzer of the Toronto Blue Jays. Photo by Julio Aguilar / Getty Images Jeff Hoffman wasn't good on an afternoon in which a series against an inferior foe ultimately was lost. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Amid the bad outing by the Jays' closer, some good news did emerge. Following the Jays' 4-2 setback to the Chicago White Sox, manager John Schneider provided the team's starting rotation for a three-game series in Cleveland that begins Tuesday night. Eric Lauer gets the ball in the opener, Kevin Gausman in the series finale. In Wednesday's game, Max Scherzer will usher in his return from a troublesome hand injury, which may or may not hold up. 'That's a huge, huge addition for us,' said Schneider. 'It's Max Scherzer. I'll take that any day of the week.' As for Hoffman, he hasn't been the same closer the team or fans of the Jays first saw early in the season. He has been prone to serving up home runs, and has looked spotty when games have been close. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'It's the roller-coaster ride of a reliever,' said the skipper. According to Schneider, Hoffman is trying to return to his early season form. What's obvious is Hoffman's frustration. 'It happens,' added Schneider. 'We trust the (crap) out of Jeff Hoffman. It's easy to blame him, but he's been on the other side of us winning games. 'It's a tough stretch for him, but he'll come out ahead of it.' What did in Hoffman on Sunday was his inability to put away hitters in two-strike counts. 'He's got three put-away pitches. When they're really good, they're great. When you try to force it a little bit, those pitches tend to be in the zone.' Hoffman did induce a weak come-backer off the bat of Andrew Benintendi. Hoffman couldn't secure the ground ball, however, and it dearly cost the Jays. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Nine times out of 10, (Hoffman) makes that play,' added Schneider. Prior to Hoffman entering the game, Brendon Little issued a walk. Little eventually was charged with two unearned runs. 'Walks usually come back to hurt you and it did (Sunday),' continued Schneider. Outside of Spencer Turnbull's poor starting performance on Friday, the Blue Jays couldn't find fault with either Jose Berrios, Saturday's starter, or Chris Bassitt, who started Sunday. At one point Sunday, Bassitt recorded six strikeouts in succession. There has been no issue with Bassitt or Berrios for that matter. Gausman, to his credit, was not pleased with his start against Arizona on Thursday. One of the most effective relief pitchers on the staff is Yariel Rodriguez, who struck out two in a clean inning after he succeeded Bassitt. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Y-Rod has seen his usage spike. With Yimi Garcia still on the injured list, Hoffman is being relied upon in high leverage. According to the manager, the team may explore Hoffman's routine on off days. When the Jays have won, the scores have been lopsided, effectively eliminating the need to turn to Hoffman. He's not going anywhere, but for the Jays to go anywhere in the standings, outings such as Sunday can't be tolerated, even if it's the nature of a closer and the small margins that go along with it. As for Scherzer, Schneider admits the veteran's battle with a problematic thumb does loom as a potential issue. 'The thumb is a thing,' said Schneider. 'Getting to 75 pitches in his last start (at Triple-A) is a good thing. We got to monitor it as it goes. 'His stuff is where it should be. We're really, really excited to have him back.' Schneider couldn't divulge whether Scherzer will be on a pitch count in Cleveland. 'Ish, if that's the right answer. Add 10 or 15 to what he did in his last rehab start.' 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CTV News
5 hours ago
- CTV News
Hall of Fame pitcher Max Scherzer to return for Blue Jays on Wednesday in Cleveland
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Max Scherzer (31) pitches the ball during first inning MLB baseball action against the Baltimore Orioles, in Toronto on Saturday, March 29, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov TORONTO — Mad Max is back. Max Scherzer is scheduled to be the Toronto Blue Jays' starting pitcher on Wednesday when they face the Guardians in Cleveland. Blue Jays manager John Schneider confirmed that Scherzer would return to the mound after Toronto's 4-2 loss to the Chicago White Sox on Sunday. 'That's a huge, huge addition to us, you know?' said Schneider. 'It's Max Scherzer. 'I'll take that any day of the week.' The 40-year-old surefire Hall of Famer signed a one-year, US$15.5 million contract with Toronto on Feb. 4. However, Scherzer only pitched three innings for the Blue Jays on March 29, allowing two runs on three hits. He left that game early with thumb inflammation on his throwing hand before being placed on the injured list the next day. Scherzer had a bullpen session earlier Sunday after two promising rehab starts with triple-A Buffalo last week. Schneider said Sunday's session was a productive workout for Scherzer, that included simulating conditions against the Guardians' potent lineup. 'I think that getting to 75 pitches in his last start is a good thing, and we've got to just monitor it as he goes,' said Schneider. 'The fact that he's feeling good throwing his stuff, he knows his stuff is where it should be. 'Really, really excited to have him back.' Scherzer is a three-time Cy Young Award winner as the best pitcher in his league and an eight-time all-star. He has a 216-112 record over his 18-year MLB career, with a lifetime 3.16 earned-run average and 3,408 strikeouts. 'Hopefully he's back with us the rest of the year,' said fellow starter Chris Bassitt. 'It solidifies our rotation a lot more where the bullpen doesn't have to be as relied upon as it has been. 'Hopefully we get Max back to what he usually does, and then take some pressure off of (Jose) Berrios, (Kevin Gausman) and I having to eat innings and things like that.' Eric Lauer will start for Toronto on Tuesday and Gausman will pitch on Thursday. The Blue Jays are 4-6 in their last 10 games, sitting third in the American League East but holding the second wild card berth. Cleveland is a half game out of the third wild card spot, held by the Seattle Mariners. By John Chidley-Hill.
