Max Scherzer Hints at Impending Announcement Regarding MLB Future
The veteran pitcher teased an announcement about his career in the coming days after his latest start.
Max Scherzer, the 42-year-old three-time Cy Young Award winner, has hinted at an upcoming announcement regarding his Major League Baseball future. Speaking to reporters after pitching in Game 1 of a Blue Jays doubleheader against the Orioles on Wednesday, Scherzer stated, "I’ll probably say something here in the next couple days."
The future Hall of Famer, who has won two World Series titles, pitched five innings on Wednesday, allowing four runs on four hits and three walks while striking out seven in a 4-2 loss. He expressed a desire to pitch again on Sunday against the Reds in the season finale, which would require him to pitch on short rest.
When asked about his future, Scherzer indicated he preferred to keep his focus on finishing the season. "I don’t know if I want to publicly say, yet. I’d rather keep the blinders up and address once the season’s over," he said, adding, "I’m not limping to the finish line, I’m accelerating through the finish line. … Want to keep the focus on just getting to finish line."
Scherzer's tenure with the Blue Jays has been challenging. After posting a 5.19 ERA in 17 starts last season, he has a 6.14 ERA in 17 starts this year, contending with injuries. Despite these struggles, he has shown flashes of his former dominance, including a seven-inning, one-hit shutout performance with 10 strikeouts on August 30.
Scherzer is currently ninth on the all-time strikeouts list with 3,550, four behind Justin Verlander. In his 19-season career, the eight-time All-Star has accumulated a 3.29 ERA, a 1.09 WHIP, and a 224-126 record over 3,040 ⅔ innings, with a career WAR of 74.1. In 33 playoff appearances, he holds a 3.78 ERA with 182 strikeouts in 157 ⅓ innings.
He was a key member of the Washington Nationals team that won their first World Series in 2019 and won another championship with the Texas Rangers in 2023 after being traded from the Mets at mid-season. He also appeared in the 2012 World Series with the Detroit Tigers and the 2023 Fall Classic with the Blue Jays.