How much longer can the Blue Jays stick with Max Scherzer?

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It soon will be time to talk less about milestones when it comes to Max Scherzer and more about what can be done to address the legendary veteran’s inability to get outs and remain in ball games.

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The latest Blue Jays implosion came on Friday at the Rogers Centre, an 8-6 loss to the Cleveland Guardians that was a direct result of Scherzer’s horrid evening.

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A meek start saw him exit after just 2.1 innings, his head hung low as he skulked to the Toronto dugout after surrendering seven runs. It was just the latest poor effort from the three-time Cy Young Award winner, a situation that is now an ongoing concern.

And so much for pushing the narrative of Scherzer’s bid to become just the 11th player in MLB history to reach 3,500 career strikeouts. Instead, the conversation must shift to the immediate future and Mad Max’s ability to remain in the Blue Jays’ starting rotation.

Hours after the team stripped the closer’s title from Jeff Hoffman, another Jays pitching issue was in full fester as Scherzer was at his worst. He allowed a leadoff home run to Daniel Schneemann of the Guardians in the first inning, and was no match for Cleveland hitters in the rest of his abbreviated outing.

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The right-hander threw 38 pitches in the first inning (on his way to 82), allowed two more homers — both to Angel Martinez — and managed just seven outs before Toronto manager John Schneider had mercy and gave him the hook.

It was a stunning and demoralizing effort from Scherzer, a pitcher renowned for his intensity and normally the type of competitor you would want to have kick off what has the feeling of an important home stand.

“That’s about as weird as they come from Max,” Schneider said kindly. “He got it handed to him in the first. I don’t think that physically there was anything terrible.”

Despite Scherzer’s troubles, the Blue Jays gamely made a contest of it, but Scherzer’s struggles were a buzzkill for the noisy sellout crowd of 41,671.

Stunning, yes, but not unprecedented. Scherzer has had his share of forgettable first innings in his time with the Jays, but this one was among the worst as the Jays’ record fell to a disappointing, and lacklustre, 10-15.

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And in a season with too many uncomfortable questions, Scherzer’s status is just the latest in need of solution.

What’s wrong with Mad Max?

Though he came into the season feeling healthy, Scherzer has been largely ineffective through his five starts.

After allowing six hits, the 41-year-old right-hander saw his bloated ERA leap to 9.64.

His control has been suspect, as has his ability to avoid hard contact from opposing hitters. In three of his five starts, Scherzer hasn’t made it out of the third inning, putting a strain on the Jays’ overworked bullpen.

As for the pursuit of strikeout 3,500, Scherzer entered Friday’s contest one shy after getting just one in his previous start in Arizona this past Saturday. That’s one measly K in 8.1 innings.

“That’s part of this game,” Scherzer said afterwards. “You get punched in the face, spit it out, wake back up and figure out what’s wrong and fix it and go back out there.”

When will Scherzer’s next start come? We shall see.

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Just as the Jays ran out of patience with Hoffman, will they reevaluate Scherzer’s role? Both youngster Trey Yesavage and veteran Jose Berrios are nearing a return from the injured list.

Going forward, how much will questions of Scherzer’s health enter the discourse? Since revealing forearm tendinitis earlier this month, Mad Max has gone to Bad Max. In his most recent four starts, he has allowed 19 earned runs and six homers.

That said, Scherzer quickly tossed ice-cold water on physical problems conspiring against him on Friday.

“I would not characterize the start as a fault of my forearm,” Scherzer said.

Lukes latest injury to hard-luck Jays

The relentless injury bug that is ravaging the Jays this season claimed another victim on Friday.

This time it was the hottest hitter on the team, outfielder Nathan Lukes, who belted a leadoff double against the Cleveland Guardians but injured himself in the process.

The team officially said Lukes exited with left hamstring discomfort, though the obvious fear is that it could be a serious ailment. Lukes appeared to suffer the injury on his swing, and then laboured around the bases.

He immediately headed for the dugout as Schneider had sprung out to check on him. Following the game, Schneider said that Lukes was undergoing an MRI and the team will have a better idea of his status on Saturday.

With important hitters George Springer, Alejandro Kirk and Addison Barger already sidelined due to injury, the Jays could ill afford the loss of another, especially given how prolific Lukes had been of late. After labouring through an 0-for-23 stretch, Lukes entered Friday having had three multi-hit games in his previous five. After that leadoff double, he had hits in 11 of his previous 21 at bats.

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Quick hits

The Jays are starting to get some pop from third baseman Kazuma Okamoto, who rocked a monstrous 430-foot homer in the second inning. The solo shot was his fourth of the season, giving the new guy the team lead in the long ball category …  Playing in his 1,000th career game, first baseman Vlad Guerrero Jr. had an RBI on a first-inning ground out … Much is made about the Jays’ recovery from a slow start last season, but after 25 games the 2025 team was 12-13 … After exiting a three-game winning streak with back-to-back losses, the Jays will look to get things righted on Saturday when Kevin Gausman takes the mound.

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