Mad Max could be back for another ride.<\/p>\n
The Athletic\u2019s Mitch Bannon and Ken Rosenthal report<\/a> the Toronto Blue Jays<\/a> remain in contact with righty Max Scherzer<\/a> about a potential reunion. A three-time Cy Young Award winner, the 41-year-old Scherzer spent the 2025 season with the team.<\/p>\n In the regular season, his 18th in the majors, Scherzer had a record of 5-5 in 17 starts. He posted an earned run average of 5.19 and 1.294 WHIP over 85.0 innings pitched. He struck out 82 batters and walked 23.<\/p>\n But it was in October where Scherzer showed the kind of magic that made him an eight-time All-Star. With the Blue Jays trailing the Seattle Mariners<\/a> 2-1 in the American League Championship Series, Scherzer pitched 5.2 innings in an 8-2 win that evened up the series. Scherzer memorably yelled at manager John Schneider when he came to the mound to lift him, earning him an extra inning of work. He would go on to make two starts in the World Series, including 4.1 innings of one-run ball in Game 7 that the Jays ultimately lost in 11 innings to the Los Angeles Dodgers<\/a>.<\/p>\n Bannon and Rosenthal note that Scherzer would be unlikely to return without a clearly defined role. With a fully healthy staff, the addition of Scherzer would make it eight potential starters for a presumed five-man rotation. Kevin Gausman<\/a>, Dylan Cease<\/a>, Trey Yesavage<\/a>, Jose Berrios<\/a> and Cody Ponce are currently healthy, with Shane Bieber<\/a> ramping up for a return. There is also lefty Eric Lauer<\/a>, who started 15 games a season ago.<\/p>\n Originally taken with the 11th overall pick of the 2006 MLB Amateur Draft out of Mizzou, Scherzer has made 483 appearances, including 474 starts, for the Blue Jays, Texas Rangers<\/a>, New York Mets<\/a>, Dodgers, Washington Nationals<\/a>, Detroit Tigers<\/a> and Arizona Diamondbacks<\/a>. For his career, Scherzer is 221-117 with a 3.22 ERA and WHIP of 1.084 over 2,963.0 IP. His 3,489 strikeouts are 11th all-time and second among active players behind only his former Tigers teammate Justin Verlander<\/a> (3,553).<\/p>\n