Max Scherzer DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Max Scherzer (thumb) is set to throw bullpen sessions on Saturday and Monday. If these sessions go well, the right-hander could be cleared to join the team in their upcoming series in Texas to face live hitters. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status over the weekend, as the 40-year-old could take a significant step forward in his recovery plan. Scherzer has been on the injured list with inflammation in his right thumb. The right-hander sustained this injury during his season debut. In this outing, Scherzer logged just three innings of work with three hits and two earned runs before exiting early. Given his unknown timetable, fantasy managers should only stash him in deeper 14+ team formats. While he remains sidelined, Eric Lauer should remain in the starting rotation.

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Max Scherzer (back, thumb) threw a 33-pitch bullpen session on Tuesday and everything felt good, according to manager John Schneider. Scherzer will next throw off a mound another time or two before facing live hitters. The 40-year-old future Hall of Famer has had multiple setbacks with a troublesome right thumb before he was scratched from a bullpen session last week with back tightness. The three-time Cy Young winner just can't seem to stay healthy towards the end of his illustrious career, but the ultimate competitor is doing everything he can to rejoin Toronto's rotation this year. At best, Scherzer is a couple of weeks away from a potential return to the big leagues, but he'll likely need to go on a minor-league rehab assignment. If he can finally avoid setbacks, the aging All-Star could return in early June.

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Max Scherzer (back, thumb) experienced some back tightness after his last bullpen session and didn't end up throwing on Tuesday in Toronto, according to The Athletic's Mitch Bannon. Scherzer's timeline has changed a bit as a result, but the team is hoping he can throw again this week. The 40-year-old three-time Cy Young winner made just one start with Toronto earlier this year before landing on the 15-day injured list due to inflammation in his troublesome right thumb. He has had multiple setbacks since and is now dealing with a back ailment that has complicated his recovery. It doesn't sound like a serious issue, but given all the injuries he's dealt with in recent seasons as he ages, fantasy managers have to wonder when exactly he'll make his return. Now on the 60-day IL, Scherzer cannot return until at least May 29, but his absence will probably stretch into June.