Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer left Friday night’s game against the San Francisco Giants after getting just one out.
Scherzer threw 12 pitches before the training staff came out. He then threw just one warm-up pitch in front of the training staff and proceeded to walk off the field in frustration.
Dave Martinez and head athletic trainer Paul Lessard are out to see Max Scherzer after his 12th pitch. He is going to throw a few with them watching.
— Jesse Dougherty (@dougherty_jesse) June 11, 2021
Oh man. Max Scherzer threw one pitch, didn’t like how it felt and the Nationals will need their bullpen for the rest of this night. Not good at all.
— Jesse Dougherty (@dougherty_jesse) June 11, 2021
Here’s how it looked:
https://twitter.com/jgroc/status/1403490637396258821
An injury has led to Max Scherzer being taken out of tonight's game pic.twitter.com/TVZaFEiH6l
— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) June 11, 2021
It’s unclear what the injury is, but it at least doesn’t appear to be arm-related.
If there’s a positive to the whole Max Scherzer injury situation, it very clearly was not arm/shoulder related. Was stretching his lower half and bending over at the waist.
We’ll find out details after the game from Davey.
— Dan Kolko (@masnKolko) June 11, 2021
Still- any Scherzer injury is a huge deal to Max and the Nationals.
That’s especially the case with the current timing. Scherzer is an upcoming free agent, and he’s a potential massive trade chip for the Nationals (who entered Friday 25-33, in last place in the NL East at seven games back).
So, both sides really, really hope that Scherzer won’t have to miss any time and can keep producing like the ace he is.
The three-time Cy Young winner — who turns 37 on July 27; or, three days before the trade deadline — has been fantastic this season, with a 2.21 ERA in 77 1/3 innings pitched.
UPDATE: According to Jessica Camerato of MLB.Com, Scherzer “felt a groin tweak.” However, the MRI only showed inflammation, and Scherzer is considered day-to-day at the moment.
Max Scherzer said he felt a groin tweak. Felt discomfort on the warmup pitch. MRI showed inflammation but not a muscle strain. He said he’s day to day.
— Jessica Camerato (@JessicaCamerato) June 12, 2021
