Max Scherzer’s injury plagued 2026 season took another hit on Wednesday, hours before a scheduled start at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox.
The 41-year-old righty was placed on the 15-day injured list with back spasms. The transaction was retroactive to June 14.
Right-handed pitcher Chad Dallas was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo while reliever Braydon Fisher will serve as the opener on Wednesday in Boston.
Scherzer last pitched against the Philadelphia Phillies last Wednesday, his first start April 24 as he was sidelined with right forearm tendinitis and left ankle inflammation.
Despite reaching a career milestone against the Phillies by becoming the 11th pitcher in history to reach 3,500 strikeouts, Scherzer struggled considerably on the mound, allowing five earned runs on five hits, including two home runs, and three walks over 3.1 innings of work.
Scherzer’s ERA on the season has ballooned to 10.23 over six starts.
Scherzer returned to the Blue Jays this season on a $3 million contract after an overall positive 2025 debut season with Toronto, highlighted by three strong starts in the postseason, including Game 7 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The native of St. Louis is three-time Cy Young winner in addition to winning two World Series titles and eight All-Star appearances.
Bieber goes five innings in possible final rehab start
Right-handed pitcher Shane Bieber allowed five earned runs in five innings Wednesday afternoon while making a rehab start for Triple-A Buffalo.
According to Keegan Matheson, Bieber’s velocities looked fine, with his fastball sitting around 92 mph.
All in all, Bieber allowed seven hits -- two of which were home runs -- alongside four walks and two strikeouts, throwing 48 of his 80 pitches for strikes.
Matheson reported on Tuesday that it’s possible this would be Bieber’s last rehab start as he works his way back from arm fatigue coming off his return from Tommy John surgery that has delayed the start of his season.
The Athletic’s Mitch Bannon reported Wednesday that Bieber will now join the Blue Jays on the road and the club will determine next steps.
The 31-year-old was acquired by the Jays from the Cleveland Guardians last summer and started seven games for them down the stretch of the season, pitching to a 3.57 ERA. He made an additional five appearances in the postseason as the Blue Jays reached Game 7 of the World Series.
A two-time All-Star and the 2020 CY Young Award winner, Bieber owns a career ERA of 3.24 in 143 career regular-season outings.
