Max Scherzer Injures Hamstring vs. Mets, Leaves After One Inning

Max Scherzer left his start for the Nationals against the New York Mets after just one inning Wednesday night.

WASHINGTON — Three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer left his start with a tweaked right hamstring after just one inning in the Nationals' 3-1 loss to the Mets Wednesday night.

Scherzer grimaced as he hopped off the mound of a ground ball to the right side as he moved to cover first base. The out was made, but Washington's ace was finished after allowing one run and throwing 27 pitches.

"That was my limit today," Scherzer said. "I wasn't going to push past that limit. It wasn't going to loosen up any more by pitching."

Max Scherzer described tweaking his hamstring, which caused him to leave Wednesday's start after one inning. #Nationals pic.twitter.com/UdF6h8xTSs

— Jessica Camerato (@JessicaCamerato) August 6, 2020

Scherzer said his hamstring first started acting up during his previous start, last Wednesday against the Blue Jays, but he felt well enough to pitch through it.

Scherzer was not as sharp as usual at the outset Wednesday, going 2-0 counts against each of New York’s initial two batters, walking one and giving up a single to the other. He said his mechanics were off as he tried to compensate for his sore hamstring.

After the inning, Scherzer said he talked with catcher Kurt Suzuki about the injury and if he should continue pitching.

"[Suzuki] saw what my stuff was playing like," Scherzer said. "He didn't like it."

The Mets eventually went ahead in the first on Dominic Smith’s sacrifice fly.

Scherzer entered the game with an 0-1 record and 2.84 ERA this season.