Mets' Max Scherzer Still Dealing With Lingering Injury

Mets ace Max Scherzer is still dealing with a lingering back/shoulder issue.

Max Scherzer is scheduled to take the mound on Tuesday against the Cincinnati Reds, as he and the Mets attempt to turn their season around. 

But according to The New York Post, Scherzer is still dealing with discomfort in his right scapula near his shoulder blade.

“I’m doing everything I can to get through this without having it linger through the rest of the season,’’ Scherzer told The Post. “I’m in a good spot… I’m not going backward [with the injury], I’m moving forward. That’s the good part.”

After returning from a 10-game suspension for using a banned substance, Scherzer was shellacked by the lowly Detroit Tigers, who tagged him for six runs on eight hits and two home runs. 

His ERA on the season is now up to 5.56. 

“That outing sucked, but I didn’t get hurt,’’ Scherzer said. “The first part of progress of getting through an injury is being able to pitch and not get hurt.”

At 38-years old, Max Scherzer's health is always a factor to consider / Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports

The 38-year-old is not completely healthy and dealt with a similar injury back in 2019, which cost him several weeks. 

“That’s how bad this can get,’’ Scherzer said. “I respect that. I’ve learned from that and I’m trying like hell to not have that happen.”

The Mets' rotation has been decimated by injuries; Carlos Carrasco (elbow) is set to make a rehab start on Tuesday for Double-A Binghamton, and Jose Quintana is recovering from rib surgery that will keep him out until at least July. Justin Verlander also just returned from a teres major strain. For that, Scherzer believes It's more beneficial to pitch through his discomfort instead of taking time off on the IL.

“Just don’t break,’’ Scherzer said of his goal while pitching in his current condition. “I’m trying like hell not to join the IL. I’m fighting through this and doing everything I can. But this is the big leagues and no one cares if you’re hurt. You’ve got to go out there and perform, so I get it.”

In his start against the Tigers, both Scherzer's velocity and spin rates were down. He told The Post that his velocity dip was a result of managing his injury and not aggravating it.

General manager Billy Eppler pointed out last week that Scherzer has shown he can still throw hard in other appearances this season and he is not concerned about his star pitcher.

Eppler cited the irregular workload due to injury and suspension, as potential reasons for Scherzer's struggles. He did, however, acknowledge how surprised he is that the Mets' rotation has underperformed so far this season. 

Fangraphs has the Mets' starters at 170.1 innings, which is the second lowest total in baseball. They've also given up the second-most home runs per nine innings at 1.90. 

The Mets' rotation is worst in the majors with 4.6 walks per nine innings and a 5.34 ERA.

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