Star Nationals hurler Max Scherzer said today that he’s dealing with some discomfort in his side, as MLB.com’s Jessica Camerato (links to Twitter) was among those to report.
The issue led the team to give him a break from a scheduled competitive spring outing. But the excellent right-hander was still capable of throwing a 60-pitch pen session.
Scherzer says he’s dealing with an “ailment,” not an injury. The muscles in that region are a bit over-taxed after his last start, he explained, but he’s “absolutely not” concerned.
“There’s not even a strain,” Scherzer said, emphasizing that he won’t need to undergo an MRI. “This is purely just a fatigue, endurance thing,” he said.
Scherzer has been one of the game’s ultimate workhorses in recent seasons, but did miss a handful of starts in 2019. The long-dominant hurler also dealt with a neck issue during the World Series.
The champion Nats pushed their top arms to the limit last October, so they’ll need to mindful as they ramp back up in camp. Scherzer is 35 years of age, it’s fair to note, though he obviously pushes himself to remain in peak shape and he says his elbow and shoulder are in great form.
He does always give his max effort.
Haha
Max effort? For Scherz
So many players with side discomfort this spring training. It’s a veritable paindemic!
hold up…
It’s all your fault, Darkside. The Farce is with you. Chew on that. Maybe you should Leia low.
knowing Max he’ll just play through this all year and still be a Cy Young finalist. absolute GOAT.
He fell to me in the 2nd round 20th pick in my fantasy draft so I’m praying to the old gods and the new gods that you are correct, he’s such a beast
The pitcher for whom that award is named would beg to differ.
Great pitcher, yes. GOAT, no.
Greatest attitude of all time
Every time I read a comment implying advanced age like “Scherzer is 35 years of age, it’s fair to note…” my back immediately hurts, I need a nap and I have the urge to go chase kids off my front lawn…
I know right. I’m 41 but apparently I should require a walker and hearing aids
This means he is going injured list and no April baseball for him. It’s a new tactic that they’ve been doing around the league now, pretend like you’re injuries are ailments and not serious but then at the last minute let people know you need Tommy John. It’s simply a scam to sell tickets. Star players that are on the injured list cost the team money and more importantly fans are witty and will not buy tickets if the player they want to go and see is not playing, they stay home my power goats! We all have to wake up and realize what’s going on.
If it turns out Scherzer is actually telling the truth here and doesn’t miss any time in April, will you be big enough to turn your tin hat in?
*tin foil hat
Anything is possible if you make things up.
@iknowmorebaseball can you let us know if the aliens are ever going to bring the cure for the Coronavirus that they brought? Does the tin hat you wear protect you from the virus. Your comment is so far fetched. I can see teams holding older starters out longer when they have an injury or they are hurt but your comment is so absurd. Max pitches every 5th day so they are not going to be out millions of dollars like you are saying. Some fans or wannabe fans are just so ignorant or stupid
You should change your handle to “Ispewmoreoutrageousconspiraciesthantheaverageperson”
What do “witty fans” have to do with buying tickets? Are the Nationals taking away stand up comedy shows before their games?
Mad Max will be fine and will start opening day. He and Verlander are true throw back warriors who will do anything they can to take the mound every 5 days. The Scherzer contract may go down as the best long term contract for a pitcher in MLB history; worth every penny!
Gotta love that pic..
Scherzer was unable to throw his bullpen if I’m not mistaken. He long tossed instead
Me too
Just give Strasburg the Opening Day start.