The Washington Nationals scratched Max Scherzer from a scheduled start due to discomfort in his right triceps just six days before this season’s trade deadline.
Scherzer ended up resting a few days but avoided a trip to the 10-day injured list before making a start on July 29 against the San Francisco Giants, during which he threw six innings of one-run ball.
Although he did miss one scheduled start, there was not much more concern for the right-hander in what wound up being his final days with the Nationals.
“A little bit, but not really, just because of what it was. I was able to get into that start,” Scherzer recently said.
Now with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the 37-year-old future Hall of Famer is happy to be reunited with his former trainer, Dr. Keith Pyne, who is a medical advisor to various professional sports organizations, according to his website.
“Getting over here, one reason I’ve really enjoyed coming to the Dodgers is Keith Pyne. He’s one of the trainers that was with me in D.C., and now I get to be with him here in L.A,” Scherzer said.
“He’s worked wonders on me before, so if I have any ailments, nicks and bumps, I trust him to be able to fix those things up.”
Throughout his 14-year career, Scherzer has thrown at least 200 innings six times and just missed the mark by less than 10 innings another three times. He has been the definition of a workhorse starter, but father time remains undefeated.
Prior to 2019, Scherzer only made two trips to the IL in his career — once in 2009 and another time in 2017.
However, over the last few seasons Scherzer has dealt with various injuries and had multiple stints on the IL, including the triceps discomfort he dealt with earlier this year, and previously a strain in his upper back, groin inflammation and a tweaked hamstring.
Scherzer dealt with hamstring trouble more recently, which limited him to six innings against the Atlanta Braves. However, it has been a non-issue from there.
Scherzer focused on season, not free agency
The Nationals trading Scherzer at the deadline was largely motivated by his contractual status and the unlikelihood he would be re-signed in free agency this winter.
A stellar showing has further boosted Scherzer’s value and presumed market, though his focus remains on helping the Dodgers repeat as World Series champions and letting the free agent process unfold after that.
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