Back Spasms Sideline Max Scherzer Right Before Fenway Start — Blue Jays Rotation Takes Another Hit

Max Scherzer got ready to take the mound at Fenway Park on Wednesday night. Instead, he’s headed to the injured list.

The veteran right-hander has been placed on the 15-day IL due to back spasms, the Blue Jays confirmed. It’s the latest physical setback for a pitcher who was supposed to stabilize Toronto’s rotation after re-signing with the team this past offseason.

Another IL Stint, Another Frustrated Ace

Scherzer already missed all of May with forearm tendinitis and ankle inflammation. Now, just as he felt his arm was finally where he wanted it, his back won’t cooperate.

“I’m frustrated,” Scherzer told reporters, including Keegan Matheson. “I wanted to get in that rhythm. I wanted to be out there. My arm feels like it’s in a really great spot right now, but I can’t go.”

The Blue Jays responded by calling up right-hander Chad Dallas from Triple-A Buffalo. Braydon Fisher will start Wednesday’s game in Scherzer’s place.

The Numbers Don’t Lie — So Far

Through seven starts this season, Scherzer owns a 10.23 ERA with a 1-4 record. That’s not what Toronto expected when it brought back the future Hall of Famer. Manager John Schneider recently said the hope was that consistent starts would help Scherzer find his rhythm and show why the team invested in him.

“You want to try to see what it looks like when he gets some consistent work,” Schneider said. “I think he’s earned that. It’s the reason why we signed him back and you don’t want to make any knee-jerk reactions.”

Consistent work, however, has been hard to come by. This is Scherzer’s second IL stint of 2025, and the Blue Jays are now forced to patch together their rotation again while the reigning American League champions try to stay competitive in a tough AL East.

What’s at Stake for Toronto

The Blue Jays entered this series against the Red Sox needing wins. Scherzer’s absence doesn’t help a pitching staff that has already leaned heavily on Kevin Gausman and José Berríos. Toronto hasn’t confirmed how long Scherzer might be out, but back issues can linger for pitchers, especially one who turns 41 in July.

For now, the team is taking a cautious approach. The back spasms aren’t believed to be structural, according to reports, but the Blue Jays are clearly prioritizing the long haul over any single start.

“I wanted to be out there,” Scherzer said. He won’t be — and Toronto has to figure out how to fill the gap again.