Max Scherzer is taking things slowly after recently returning from the injured list, but he apparently felt well enough to pinch run on Friday.
With their game against the Miami Marlins tied at 4-4 in the seventh inning, the Washington Nationals brought in the ace righty to run for outfielder Adam Eaton at second base representing the go-ahead run.
Meanwhile, Scherzer is pinch-running for Eaton, representing the go-ahead run.
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) August 31, 2019
Scherzer would later score on a Juan Soto double, and the Nats ended up winning by the final of 7-6, so the strategy appears to have worked.
Additionally, Eaton has been battling a knee ailment, and Scherzer does have two stolen bases in two career attempts (both over the course of the last two seasons). But the three-time Cy Young winner recently missed almost a month with a back issue and has not made it past the fifth inning in either of his two starts since returning, making the move still a bit curious.
At 35 years old to boot, Scherzer coming on as a pinch runner has to be the most interesting gambit since this fellow pitcher was brought in to pinch hit.
