Max Scherzer is back. The Toronto Blue Jays reinstated him from the injured list today, and he'll take the mound tonight against Washington.
To make room on the roster, the Blue Jays placed Braydon Fisher on the bereavement list.
Scherzer's return comes after a rough season marked far more by injury than performance, sitting at a 10.23 ERA across six starts and just 22 innings this year.
Tonight's start carries real personal weight for him too, a return to the city where he spent parts of seven seasons and helped deliver a World Series championship back in 2019.
Fisher, meanwhile, steps away from the team during what is clearly a difficult personal moment.
Bereavement leave exists specifically so players can be with family during the hardest moments life brings, and the Blue Jays organization extends its support to Fisher during this time.
Fisher has been a steady presence out of Toronto's bullpen this season, posting a 4.15 ERA with 52 strikeouts across 52 innings over 50 appearances.
Why tonight's roster shuffle carries extra significance
Losing Fisher from the bullpen, even temporarily, asks other arms to pick up additional innings at a point in the season when depth is already stretched thin.
That's a secondary concern tonight, though. The priority is simply making sure Fisher has the time and space he needs away from the game right now.
Scherzer's return gives Toronto a boost on paper, but the more important story tonight belongs to Fisher and his family.
The Blue Jays organization will continue to provide updates as appropriate, and the thoughts of everyone in that clubhouse are with Fisher during this time.
Toronto and Washington get started tonight, with Scherzer back on a big league mound for the first time since June 10.
Are you glad to see Max Scherzer back on the mound tonight?
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