Blue Jays Shift Rotation: Scherzer to Start Sunday vs. Yankees

UPDATE: The Toronto Blue Jays have made a critical adjustment to their pitching lineup ahead of the weekend series against the New York Yankees. In a surprising move, Max Scherzer will now start on Sunday instead of Saturday, with Chris Bassitt taking the mound on Saturday.

This change comes as Scherzer, aged 41, recovers from recent back tightness that forced him to exit his last game against the Milwaukee Brewers. Blue Jays manager John Schneider confirmed the decision, stating, “Just wanted to give Max an extra day with the upper back thing feeling better. He threw a side yesterday.”

Scherzer has been formidable this season, holding a record of 5-2 with a 4.11 ERA in 13 starts. Notably, he has excelled since August 1, with a 3.36 ERA in his last five outings. However, he has faced challenges this season, having been sidelined from late March until late June due to right thumb inflammation.

On the other hand, Bassitt, a 36-year-old right-hander, has also shown strong performance with an 11-7 record and a 4.10 ERA. Schneider noted that Bassitt is prepared and “should be good to go” for the series opener against the Yankees.

As the Blue Jays aim for their first division title since 2015, they currently lead the American League East by three games over New York. The stakes are high as the series unfolds, with both teams vying for critical victories.

In a related update, outfielder Anthony Santander, who has been out since May 29 with a partially dislocated left shoulder, may soon begin a minor league rehabilitation assignment. Schneider indicated that Santander is ramping up his recovery and could be ready to play soon, which is promising news for the Blue Jays as they push for postseason contention.

With the series against the Yankees set to begin tonight, all eyes will be on how this rotation adjustment impacts the game. Fans are eager to see if Scherzer’s additional day of recovery pays off as the Blue Jays continue their pursuit of the AL East title.

Stay tuned for more updates as the situation develops through this crucial series.