Scherzer’s Spectacular Return Draws Ovations
Max Scherzer made a triumphant return on the road, earning two standing ovations from fans during his first game back from injury.
This was his first start since June 10, and as he took the mound, the Nationals crowd cheered loudly. The 19-year MLB veteran acknowledged the warm welcome with a salute and applause.
Pitching for the first time since dealing with back spasms and discomfort in his thumb, Scherzer, a former Nationals pitcher from 2015 to 2021, managed to hold his old team to just one run over two-thirds of an inning, throwing a total of 75 pitches.
He faced significant pressure early on, with bases loaded and one out in the first inning, but he deftly navigated the situation without giving up more runs—a familiar feat for the seasoned pitcher.
With four strikeouts that day, Scherzer climbed into the top 10 of MLB’s all-time strikeout leaderboard, now just eight behind Walter Johnson’s impressive total of 3,515.
As he exited the game, the fans erupted into applause once again, and Scherzer expressed his appreciation by waving to them.
This comeback marks the second time this season Scherzer has returned from the injured list. He had previously been sidelined from April until June with right forearm tendonitis and left ankle inflammation.
In his only other start while on the disabled list this season, he struggled, giving up five runs in just over three innings. Overall, his season has been challenging; he has yet to pitch beyond 3 1/3 innings in most outings, amassing a total of 22 innings with 25 runs and a high ERA of 10.23, alongside a career-worst WHIP of 1.73.
During his previous tenure with the Nationals, Scherzer was a two-time National League Cy Young Award winner and played a crucial role in the team’s 2019 World Series championship, racking up 2,692 strikeouts in his time with the franchise.
In a significant midseason move in 2021, Scherzer was traded to the Dodgers alongside shortstop Trea Turner, later spending more than a season with the Mets.
