Max Scherzer exits Dodgers-Blue Jays game after just two innings

Veteran pitcher's early exit adds to Toronto's growing list of rotation injuries

Apr. 7, 2026 at 12:20am

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A cubist-style painting featuring overlapping geometric shapes and planes in muted earth tones, conceptually representing the fragmented and disrupted pitching motion of a baseball player, symbolizing the Blue Jays' injury-ravaged starting rotation.A fractured, cubist depiction of a pitcher's motion captures the fragmented nature of the Blue Jays' injury-plagued rotation.Chicago Today

In a World Series rematch between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays, veteran pitcher Max Scherzer exited Monday's game after just two innings of work. The Blue Jays have already been dealing with a number of injuries to their starting rotation, including the recent losses of Alejandro Kirk and Cody Ponce, making Scherzer's early departure a significant concern for the team.

Why it matters

The Blue Jays have been plagued by injuries to their pitching staff, with several starters already sidelined before the season even began. Scherzer's early exit adds to these woes and puts further strain on an already depleted rotation, potentially impacting the team's performance and chances in the early part of the season.

The details

Scherzer, who signed with the Blue Jays late in spring training, struggled with diminished velocity in his outing, averaging just 92.1 mph on his fastball compared to 93.4 mph in his first start of the season. The team has not yet announced the reason for his early departure from the game.

  • Scherzer exited the game against the Dodgers on Monday, April 6, 2026.
  • In the last week, the Blue Jays have lost Alejandro Kirk to thumb surgery and Cody Ponce to a significant ACL injury.
  • Several other Blue Jays starters, including José Berríos, Shane Bieber, Bowden Francis, and Trey Yesavage, did not make it out of spring training healthy.
  • Some Blue Jays players, including Eric Lauer, have also been hit by a flu in recent days.

The players

Max Scherzer

A 41-year-old veteran pitcher who recently signed with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Alejandro Kirk

The Blue Jays' catcher who has been sidelined due to thumb surgery.

Cody Ponce

A Blue Jays pitcher who suffered a significant ACL injury.

José Berríos

A Blue Jays starting pitcher who did not make it out of spring training healthy.

Shane Bieber

A Blue Jays starting pitcher who did not make it out of spring training healthy.

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What they’re saying

“It was the last thing an injury-riddled Blue Jays team needed. Max Scherzer exited Monday's start against the Los Angeles Dodgers after just two innings.”

— Mitch Bannon, Author

What’s next

The Blue Jays will need to closely monitor Scherzer's condition and provide an update on the reason for his early exit. The team will also need to continue to manage their growing list of injured pitchers, potentially relying on veteran starter Patrick Corbin and other rehabbing starters to fill the gaps in the rotation.

The takeaway

The Blue Jays' pitching staff has been decimated by injuries, and Scherzer's early departure from Monday's game against the Dodgers only adds to their woes. The team will need to find ways to weather this storm and keep their rotation competitive, as the piling injuries and illnesses have become their biggest problem right now.