Scherzer, 40, signed a one-year, $15.5 million deal to join the Blue Jays over the offseason. He battled injuries through his 2024 campaign with the Texas Rangers, making nine starts on the year as he recovered from an offseason back surgery, worked through the thumb issue and then a shoulder injury upon his return to the mound.

While this is one step towards the three-time Cy Young Award winner returning to game action, it was reported by Matheson that even in a "perfect world" it will still be multiple weeks until Scherzer is back in the rotation. This leaves the Blue Jays with a decision to make on how to continue filling Scherzer's spot.