Toronto Blue Jays Bring Back Multi-Time Cy Young Winner on 1-Year Deal

Early into spring training, the Toronto Blue Jays’ pitching staff has been bit hard by the injury bug.

In the first two weeks of spring training, the Blue Jays placed right-handed starting pitcher Bowden Francis on the 60-day injured list due to Tommy John surgery.

Right-handed pitcher Shane Bieber is also week-to-week with forearm fatigue that will delay his ramp up and will all but certainly extend into the regular season.

Several other pitchers on Toronto’s rotation, including new addition Cody Ponce, have looked good in their limited outings in the spring but the organization was still in desperate need of reinforcements on the rotation.

The Blue Jays found just that reinforcement by reuniting with a three-time Cy Young winner.

According to Sportnet reporter Shi Davidi, Toronto signed veteran right-handed pitcher Max Scherzer to a one-year, $3 million deal worth up to $10 million in incentives.

Since the injuries to Francis and Bieber popped up, the Blue Jays were rumored to have interest in bringing back both Scherzer and right-handed pitcher Chris Bassitt. The later of the two signed a one-year deal with Toronto’s American League East rivals, the Baltimore Orioles.

Last offseason, Scherzer signed a one-year deal to pitch for Toronto but was limited to just 17 starts due to right thumb inflammation. He posted a 5.19 ERA and struck out 82 batters in 85 innings pitched.

Scherzer remained healthy through the Blue Jays AL pennant run. He had a 3.77 ERA and fanned 11 batters in 14.1 innings pitched across three playoff starts.

Scherzer will turn 42-years-old in July and will pitch in his 19th major league season this year. He’s made 26 combined starts over the last two regular seasons and hasn’t made more than 27 starts since 2021, but Toronto has flexibility on the rotation that will allow them to keep Scherzer healthy while not sacrificing any more arms on the staff.

Before Scherzer was signed, FanGraphs’ roster resource page predicted the Blue Jays major league starting rotation to be: Kevin Gausman, Dylan Cease, Trey Yesavage, Jose Berrios and Ponce.

After the deal, FanGraphs predicts Toronto to go to a six-man rotation with the aforementioned starters and Scherzer.

Last season, the Blue Jays planned to move Berrios to the bullpen. He ended the year on the injured list and wasn’t able to pitch in the postseason, which forced Bassitt to the be starter the Jays used out of the bullpen.

Toronto can opt for a six-man rotation or have Berrios in a hybrid reliever/starter role in 2026.

Regardless, the Blue Jays now have a plan for the start of ’26 and will be in a good position once Bieber returns to the fold.

As for Scherzer, the future National Baseball Hall of Famer will have a chance to add another incredible achievement to his resume. If he helps Toronto reach and win the World Series, it will be the third championship in his career.

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Toronto Blue Jays Bring Back Multi-Time Cy Young Winner on 1-Year Deal

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