Struggling Max Scherzer’s Start Pushed Due to Soreness

New York’s ace is dealing with some soreness.

Mets ace Max Scherzer was expected to make his fourth start of the 2023 MLB season on Sunday against the Athletics. Instead, it’ll be Jose Butto toeing the rubber for New York.

Per Tim Healey of Newsday, manager Buck Showalter told reporters Saturday that Scherzer’s next start would be pushed back a few days until Wednesday.

Showalter indicated the 38-year-old is dealing with soreness to his back and his right side, prompting the organization take a cautious approach and delay his next start by a few days.

“I know exactly what this is. It just needs some time,” Scherzer said to reporters Saturday, via Yahoo! Sports. “It was similar to what I was dealing with in 2019 ... I know if you just give it a little rest it goes away.”

Mets news: Max Scherzer is pushed back three days to Wednesday. He’s had right side/back soreness, Buck Showalter said.

Jose Butto will pitch tomorrow.

— Tim Healey (@timbhealey) April 15, 2023

Scherzer has made three starts in 2023 thus far. He struggled in his first two appearances, logging a 6.35 ERA and surrendering four home runs in his first 11.1 innings. He bounced back against the Padres in his third start, surrendering just one hit and striking out six across five innings on the mound, though he walked a season-high of three batters. 

Injuries cost Scherzer some time last season. He spent time on the IL with an oblique issue, and was limited to just 23 starts and 145.1 innings in his first year with the Mets. 

Barring any further setbacks, his next scheduled start will be against his former team, the Dodgers, in Los Angeles on Wednesday.