Max Scherzer Injury: Blue Jays SP on 15-Day IL, Chase Lee Recalled

Blue Jays place Max Scherzer on 15-Day IL with forearm, ankle injuries

Toronto Blue Jays place Max Scherzer on 15-day IL amid 9.24 ERA. Right-hander Chase Lee recalled from Triple-A after 1.32 ERA start.

Toronto’s rotation decimated with 7 pitchers hurt, 12-15 in AL East...

The Toronto Blue Jays put starting pitcher Max Scherzer on the 15-day injured list Monday due to forearm and ankle injuries.

Scherzer, 41, has struggled this season with a 9.24 ERA over five starts, surrendering 16 runs in his last three outings alone.

To replace Scherzer, the team called up right-hander Chase Lee. The 26-year-old made his MLB debut last season with the Tigers, recording a 4.10 ERA across 17 relief appearances.

 

In Triple-A this season, Lee has excelled with a 1.32 ERA over 13.2 innings, giving up only two earned runs on 11 hits while striking out 12 and walking nine.

 

He previously exited his April 6 start against the Los Angeles Dodgers with forearm issues after allowing eight runs on six hits in 2.1 innings.

Scherzer signed a one-year, $3 million deal with the Blue Jays after being part of their World Series roster last season, which wasn’t much better. He posted a career-worst 5.19 ERA in 17 starts.

It marked the first time since 2011 that Scherzer ended a season with an ERA above 4.00.

Cody Ponce works a scoreless inning in his first MLB appearance since October 3, 2021! pic.twitter.com/hh3TcFSZu7

— MLB (@MLB) March 30, 2026

The future Hall of Famer and three-time Cy Young Award winner is just one of many injury issues the Blue Jays have faced this season, particularly with their pitching staff.

Starting pitcher Trey Yasavage is nearing the end of his 15-day IL stint, while fellow starter Jose Berrios is still on rehab assignments in the minors after his own 15-day IL stint.

Meanwhile, Yimi Garcia, who’s on the 60-day IL, will start throwing batting practice this week. Another starter, Cody Ponce, was ruled out for the 2025 season after tearing his ACL while fielding an infield hit.

Ponce had only recently made his first MLB appearance since 2021.

Other Blue Jays on the IL include starting pitcher Shane Bieber (60-day), outfielder Anthony Santander (60-day), infielder George Springer (10-day), catcher Alejandro Kirk (10-day), outfielder Nathan Lukes (10-day), and third baseman Addison Barger (10-day).

ROSTER MOVES:

🔹 RHP Max Scherzer placed on 15-day IL (right forearm tendinitis, left ankle inflammation)

🔹 RHP Chase Lee recalled from Triple-A and will be active tonight pic.twitter.com/fEMisHJuxb

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) April 27, 2026

Toronto sits fourth in the five-team American League East with a 12-15 record heading into Monday’s game against the last-place Boston Red Sox (11-17).