Max Scherzer will be back on a minor-league mound next week as he continues to work his way back to the Toronto Blue Jays.
Manager John Schneider told reporters Friday in San Diego that Scherzer will make his next start with the Florida Complex League (FCL) Blue Jays in Dunedin on Tuesday.
Scherzer is first scheduled to throw a bullpen in Toronto on Saturday before making his way to Florida.
Toronto will assess Scherzer’s next steps — one of which could be a return to the majors — following the start.
The 41-year-old pitched for triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday, allowing five runs and six hits over four innings while striking out five.
“No (physical) issues. I got everything under control right now,” Scherzer said after the outing. “But I got to stay on top of it. It seems like I’ve been playing whack-a-mole and I just need to get back out there and just start making starts and be healthy at the same time.”
The FCL Blue Jays are Toronto’s lone stateside affiliate that is playing through the all-star break, giving Scherzer one option to continue his rehab.
He last pitched for Toronto on June 10 against the Philadelphia Phillies before hitting the injured list later that week with back spasms.
Various ailments have limited Scherzer to just six starts and 22 innings with the Blue Jays this season, in which he owns a 10.23 ERA, 14 strikeouts and 11 walks.
He was also sidelined from April 24 to June 10 due to right forearm tendinitis and left ankle inflammation.