The Toronto Blue Jays will have some decisions to make regarding their rotation down the stretch and into the playoffs.
Toronto’s rotation currently features Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios, Chris Bassitt, Max Scherzer, and Eric Lauer. Yet, trade deadline acquisition Shane Bieber is nearing his return from Tommy John surgery, which will force the Blue Jays into an intriguing decision with their rotation.
Toronto may use a six-man rotation, but former MLB All-Star and now analyst Eric Hosmer believes the Blue Jays should put Scherzer into the bullpen and make him their closer.
“They have a couple of wild cards that it’s going to be interesting to see what they do. Obviously, Hoffman’s there closer, but something I’ve always teased is Mad Max (as a closer),” Hosmer said on OverDrive. “If you were to see him as a relief role, or maybe a closing role, with all due respect to Hoffman, Mad Max has had so many innings, he’s had a lot of miles on that arm.
“To get him up and going for 200 innings is a hard ask. In the postseason, having him go six or seven innings every four or five days is tough,” Hosmer added. “I’d love to see him go air it out for one inning. He has that mentality for a closer.”
Turning Scherzer into a closer would be an intriguing decision to make, but Hosmer believes he would thrive in that situation. It would also solve the Blue Jays’ rotation question and allow Scherzer to not worry about his health and go all out for one inning.
However, whether or not Scherzer would want to go to the bullpen is uncertain.
Blue Jays Have a Rotation Decision to Make
Bieber is expected to have one more rehab start before returning to the majors.
Once he returns to the MLB, Toronto will have to decide if they will do a six-man rotation, as there isn’t a clear pitcher to remove from the rotation.
“You don’t want to have that long of a layoff,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. “So still working through it.”
Although the Blue Jays aren’t sure what they will do with their rotation, Schneider says he just wants the starters to pitch and not worry about it.
“They’re all doing their part,” Schneider said. “There’s a lot of veteran guys, and Lauer definitely doing his part. We talked to them right after the deadline, and the message hasn’t changed. It’s, ‘Get ready to pitch when your turn comes, and we’ll figure [it] out.’ A good problem, if it does come into play in another week and a half or something.”
Toronto is 70-50 and atop the AL East and has the best record in the AL.
Scherzer Dealt With Thumb Injury This Season
Scherzer has dealt with a nagging thumb injury this season, which could be a reason why Hosmer thinks he should go to the bullpen.
The future Hall of Famer could be put into the bullpen to ease his workload. But, as of late, his thumb hasn’t been an issue as he says he continues to manage it well.
“I’m getting better,” said Scherzer after his start on August 2. “My thumb is doing better. I’m doing a good job managing it. But today in the sixth inning, that’s the thing that gassed out on me. It’s not my shoulder, not my elbow, not my back. My hand was very fatigued today, so that’s why I exited after six and didn’t try to go out for the seventh.”
Scherzer is 2-2 with a 4.21 ERA in 9 starts this season.
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