Does Max Scherzer have a spot in Blue Jays' rotation? Complicated pitching situation gets tougher in Toronto

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Does Max Scherzer have a spot in Blue Jays' rotation? Complicated pitching situation gets tougher in Toronto originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Toronto Blue Jays and Max Scherzer are reunited.

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News emerged in the very early morning hours Thursday that Scherzer has signed a free agent contract to return to Toronto, which is great news for the Blue Jays. Much less certain is whether he'll even have a spot in the pitching rotation.

Toronto already appeared to have too many guys for the traditional five spots. Now with Scherzer, it adds another name to the confusing mix.

At first glance, it seems like there's no way for Scherzer to get a regular turn on the mound. But let's break it down and see.

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Is Max Scherzer in the projected pitching rotation?

Scherzer appears to be more of a veteran mentor and some insurance than a for-sure starting pitcher for the Blue Jays.

When healthy, the Blue Jays have these four locks for the rotation:

  • Kevin Gausman
  • Dylan Cease
  • Shane Bieber
  • Trey Yesavage

They then have these two players competing for the fifth spot:

  • Cody Ponce
  • Jose Berrios

Many expect Ponce to win the fifth starter job after signing from Korea in the offseason, but Berrios obviously has a strong track record, too.

The Blue Jays also still have the lefty Eric Lauer, who was really solid when he got a chance to start last season but already appears on the outside looking in.

Even if Toronto wanted to employ a six-man rotation, it's not a given Scherzer would be a part of it.

Would he sign just to pitch out of the bullpen? Maybe if there weren't a lot of options, particularly if he was fond of the pitching group he got to spend time with last season, since most of the guys are the same.

Besides, pitching injuries are quite common in modern baseball, so even if Scherzer isn't a starter at the beginning of the season, he likely will be at some point.

The intrigue about how Scherzer will be used certainly adds a level of fascination to this signing.

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