Max Scherzer's injury means he will likely miss start against Mets

Max Scherzer left his first start with the Toronto Blue Jays due to injury, which should cause him to miss out on a potential reunion with the Mets at Citi Field on Friday.

Mike Phillips | Mar 30, 2025

Mar 29, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Max Scherzer (31) walks to the dugout after giving up two home run against the Baltimore Orioles in the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images / Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

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One of the critical turning points in the history of the New York Mets was the decision of then-general manager Billy Eppler to sell in the summer of 2023.

The big move of the fire sale was when the Mets shipped Max Scherzer to the Texas Rangers in exchange for Luisangel Acuña, with Scherzer then telling the media that he was told the Mets were essentially punting on the 2024 season.

"They're looking to compete now for 2025 and 2026. It was not gonna be a reload situation in New York. It was gonna be more of a transition in 2024."

Max Scherzer talks about his conversations with Billy Eppler and Steve Cohen around the trade deadline: pic.twitter.com/s9hT1IsVEd
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) August 2, 2023

Those comments made Scherzer a popular target for criticism from the Mets' fan base, who booed a tribute video the team put together for him when the Rangers visited Citi Field in August of 2023. Scherzer didn't pitch in that series and was injured when the Mets played in Texas in 2024, delaying a potential reunion to this season, with Scherzer now a member of the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Mets made a tribute video for Max Scherzer’s return to Citi Field and fans were booing pic.twitter.com/ztcdWobO4Z
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) August 28, 2023

Scherzer opened the season in the Blue Jays rotation, and was scheduled to pitch against the Mets in their home opener on Friday; Toronto notably will play seven days in a row before getting an off day on Thursday. Seeing a reunion come in the Mets' home opener would have created an electric atmosphere at Citi Field, but Scherzer couldn't make it through his first start without suffering an injury.

The Blue Jays pulled Scherzer after just 45 pitches in three innings due to right lat soreness. Scherzer told reporters after the game that he felt the injury pre-game and tried to gut through the game to help the Blue Jays' bullpen, only to pull himself before he suffered a serious injury.

Max Scherzer says lat soreness he experienced “is 100% related to the thumb.”

Felt discomfort in warmups but tried to fight through it to save bullpen.

Left game when he felt “imminent danger” of significant injury.

“I got to get this 100% before I pitch again,” he said.
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) March 29, 2025

Based on Scherzer's comments, it appears likely that he will miss Friday's start and his chance to pitch against the Mets at Citi Field. Since this is the only time Toronto will play in Flushing this season and the reality that Scherzer is 40 years old, this may have been the only opportunity for him to pitch against them.

Toronto hasn't officially made any declaration on changing their rotation plans in light of Scherzer's injury, but an update could emerge in the coming days. As for the Mets, Tylor Megill is currently slated to pitch on Friday and he will now benefit from not having to deal with the potential distraction of Scherzer's return to the Citi Field mound opposite him.

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