Blue Jays place Max Scherzer on the 10-day injured list with back spasms

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Max Scherzer (31) reacts after striking out Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (12) to record his 3500th strike out during first inning MLB baseball action in Toronto on Wednesday June 10, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

BOSTON (AP) — Max Scherzer is back on the injured list.

The Toronto Blue Jays placed the three-time Cy Young winner on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday with back spasms. The move came hours before Scherzer was scheduled to start against the Boston Red Sox.

Toronto will use reliever Braydon Fisher as an opener against Boston instead.

Scherzer, who turns 42 next month, spent more than six weeks on the injured list this season with right forearm tendinitis and left ankle inflammation. He returned last week and became the 11th pitcher in major league history to reach 3,500 career strikeouts when he fanned Philadelphia slugger Kyle Schwarber.

The moment proved to be the highlight as Scherzer was pulled after giving up five runs in 3 1/3 innings in what became a 7-4 loss to the Phillies.

Scherzer, who signed a $3-million, one-year deal to return to Toronto in the offseason, is 1-4 with a 10.23 ERA in six starts with the Blue Jays in 2026.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

The Associated Press