Blue Jays Place Max Scherzer on IL With Back Spasms

Sport

By lines

June 18, 2026

Max Scherzer landed on the Toronto Blue Jays injured list with back spasms. The Blue Jays made the move Wednesday, hours before Scherzer’s scheduled start. Pitching injuries struck two former aces this week across both leagues.

Two Veteran Arms, Two Injury Scares Hit Win-Now Rosters

The Toronto Blue Jays placed Max Scherzer on the 10-day injured list Wednesday. Scherzer felt back spasms hours before a scheduled start against the Boston Red Sox. Scherzer described the issue as a spasm in his middle left back. Scherzer called the problem muscular and not structural. This marks Scherzer’s second injured list stint of the 2026 season.

Scherzer carries a 1-4 record and a 10.23 ERA across six starts in 2026. Scherzer earlier missed time with right forearm tendinitis and left ankle inflammation. The Blue Jays signed the veteran right-hander to deepen their starting rotation. Scherzer owns three career Cy Young Awards from 2013, 2016, and 2017. That résumé now meets recurring injuries at age 41.

Shohei Ohtani exited his Wednesday start with left knee soreness and a bloody blister. Ohtani pitched for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Tampa Bay Rays. Ohtani allowed multiple runs in an inning for the second time in a week. The Dodgers still rallied for a 5-4 win despite Ohtani’s rocky outing. The blister formed on Ohtani’s right middle finger during the game.

The Los Angeles Dodgers downplayed Ohtani’s knee and blister after the game. The Dodgers expect Ohtani in Friday’s lineup as the designated hitter. The Dodgers also expect Ohtani to make his next scheduled start. Ohtani returned to the mound this season while batting atop the order. That two-way workload raises the stakes on every Ohtani injury.

Both injuries hit win-now rosters during the 2026 season. The Toronto Blue Jays must cover Scherzer’s rotation spot for at least 10 days. The Los Angeles Dodgers lean on Ohtani as both a starter and a hitter. A short Ohtani absence would thin the Dodgers lineup and rotation at once. Scherzer’s 10.23 ERA already pressured the Blue Jays before this injured list move.

Watch the Toronto Blue Jays for a Scherzer timeline once he resumes throwing. Scherzer can return after the minimum 10 days if the spasms ease. Watch whether Ohtani takes the mound on schedule for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Both teams need their veterans healthy for the second half of 2026. The next updates on Scherzer and Ohtani should arrive within days.