The back tightness that cost Max Scherzer a trip to the All-Star game has crept into the second half of his regular season.
Scherzer will not make his scheduled start Sunday due to the back issue, but an MRI came back clean, according to manager Dave Martinez. His next start is yet to be determined.
Max Scherzer will not pitch Sunday as previously scheduled due to back tightness. About to speak with Dave Martinez.
— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) July 12, 2019
Max Scherzer felt some “mid-back” tightness but his MRI came back clean, Dave Martinez said. The Nationals will start Anibal Sanchez on Sunday and they have not yet decided their starters against Baltimore (next Tue and Wed). Scherzer threw from 75 feet today and “felt good.”
— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) July 12, 2019
Scherzer could have pitched in the All-Star game, but skipped the game as a precaution and blamed his back. At that time, it didn’t sound serious enough to cost him a meaningful start, but it seems to have lingered longer than expected.
The Nationals start the second half six games back of the Atlanta Braves in the NL East. They finished the first half as one of the hottest teams in baseball, with Scherzer’s incredible pitching a big reason why.
