TODAY: Nationals GM Mike Rizzo told reporters (including Jesse Dougherty of the Washington Post) that he is “reasonably confident” Scherzer will come off the injured list this week. As Dougherty notes, this projection carries some extra weight coming from Rizzo, who “is usually resistant to putting even loose timelines on injuries.”
FRIDAY: The Nats’ mid-season revival has been driven by exceptional starting pitching — particularly from the ever-dependable Max Scherzer. His unholy tear through the rest of the league was halted only by an unfortunate back issue that has cropped up, forcing a recent injured-list placement.
Scherzer provided an update today to reporters including Mark Zuckerman of MASNsports.com (via Twitter). What had been believed to be a mid-back strain is in fact an inflamed bursa sac in his back/shoulder area (formally, “scapulothoracic bursitis”). He’s throwing off flat ground while waiting for a cortisone shot to take effect.
It’s clear at this point that Scherzer will not pitch before the weekend is out. But he suggests that he ought to be ready to go in relatively short order thereafter. It’ll all depend upon the efficacy and speed of the treatment. Much as the Nats would love to have him back on the bump right away, they’ll need to be cautious of avoiding a larger problem.
It’s more or less impossible to overstate just how good Scherzer has been of late. Since the start of June, he has made seven starts, over which he has allowed just five earned runs on 29 hits in 52 innings. Scherzer has compiled an absurd 79:6 K/BB ratio in that span.
Even if he never threw another pitch in D.C., Scherzer’s blockbuster free agent contract would go down as a huge success. He has already thrown over one thousand innings of 2.65 ERA ball for the Nats, racking up over thirty wins above replacement in less than five full seasons. That he remains an outstanding pitcher with appealing (albeit not inexpensive) remaining guaranteed seasons is testimony to how unusually well that deal has turned out for the team.
As talented and driven as Scherzer is, no small portion of his value is connected to his ability to stay in good health. That has allowed him not only to fill up innings, but to do so at top speed. If the Nats are to chase down the Braves, or otherwise make noise in the postseason by entering through the Wild Card, they’ll need their ace in all his furious glory.
It goes without saying that Scherzer is irreplaceable. But the Nats may need to find another rotation piece over the next twelve days, particularly if there’s any concern that they may need to go a stretch without Scherzer. At present, Austin Voth and Erick Fedde account for the fifth rotation spot. Relying on those hurlers, with scant 40-man depth otherwise (Kyle McGowin, Joe Ross), would be dangerous. There’s no indication that Jeremy Hellickson is going to be an option at any point in the near future.
We already know the Nats will be looking for bullpen arms. But it’ll be interesting to see whether and how they approach the starting pitching market. Perhaps a swingman type would make sense as a partial hedge against a rotation need, without putting too many resources into a spot that may not need to be fully addressed.
First ballot HOF.
When asked which of todays pitcher most reminds you of yourself, Fergie Jenkins replied, Max Scherzer.
First to go in as a National.
I think the picture they picked for this article is cool
Pity he’ll never pitch in a world series.
I don’t think the HOF is his priority right now.
Perhaps not, however his stats and numbers more than qualify him for the HOF at the end of his career.
Huge Implications in the Wild Card Race. !!!
Is anyone saying he will never pitch again? Would eating the remaining $100M really make this a ‘successful’ contract?
The excess value on his contract thus far has been estimated to be about $68 million… so not quite but close lol
If he has 30 war at 8-9M per the contract has excess value
I don’t think the Nats would be enthused, but with what they’ve gotten already it wouldn’t be the worst.
Why are people saying he will never pitch again? That is crazy talk LooLoooLlooooAhhhHHHaAhhhhh !!! My sources say he will be back in a month
He’ll definitely be back, it’s just hypothetical.
Back issues made Kershaw human. Pitchers going as hard as Max goes? That is scary too. Will he compensate for back and hurt elbow or shoulder?
I super super super hope hope hope Max gets healthy fast! We love him still in Detroit!
Back issues made Kershaw human. Pitchers going as hard as Max goes? That is scary too. Will he compensate for back and hurt elbow or shoulder?
I super super super hope hope hope Max gets healthy fast! We love him still in Detroit!
When Max comes back, I like the idea of having Fedde and Voth shadow each other and be each other’s long man. Ideally, they’d be the only two to pitch that fifth rotation spot day, and each only go through the lineup twice.
He is a class guy, deserves to pitch in a World Series for Nats
Fantastic picture choice.
Might be better than the one they use for Chris Sale, but it’s close
When you spend that kind of money on an elite starting pitcher one question is always asked at the end of the contract. How many World Series championships did that team win? Right now the answer is zero.
Scherzer’s been worth every penny of his deal. Has Mike Trout been worth every penny of his? I think we both know that he has. You can put Washington’s other moves under the microscope but not Scherzer. Scherzer was their best decision. Just ahead of not giving Bryce the lArgest contract offer.
Nats have been smart smart smart with their money. No sinker stinker deals.
They let Zimmerman sink Tigers. Bryce will sink Phillies. They will let Rendon sink someone else too.
Max’s deal has long long long deferred money to make it even cheaper. Inflation adjustments.
I hope they keep winning and take division. I like their brand of baseball this year.
Jayson Werth says Hi.
Nats would make that Werth deal again 10/10 times
10/10? Probably not all 10.
they would make that deal again for Werth?
$122,000,000 for 8.8 WAR?
(I guess maybe I just missed that the post was sarcasm)
You really can’t quantify how important he was to the culture change of the Nats.
Mike trout will be wasted because they are not putting nothing around him to compete that pujols contract doesnt help.
While no injury is ‘good’ for a MLB pitcher, as far as back injuries go, an inflamed bursa sack is about the best you can hope for. This ailment is easily treated through cortisone, anti-inflammatory and in some cases anti-biotics. This is so much better than a herniated or degenerating disk, and much better than a lat muscle tear or strain as well. Max will be back to his old self in no time. This may reoccur from time to time but the treatment for it works and it will not be a career threatening issue.