Max Scherzer Expected to Return From IL Thursday to Start Against Pirates

The Nationals may finally be getting their ace back from the Injured List.

After more than a month-long hiatus due to back and shoulder injuries, star hurler Max Scherzer is expected to make his return in a start at PNC Park against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday.

Barring any unforeseen setbacks in his Monday bullpen session at PNC Park, he'll be ready to go as the Nationals continue their quest to solidify their grasp on the first NL Wild Card spot.

Scherzer was in the midst of yet another Cy Young-caliber campaign went he went down with the injury back in July. He's managed a 2.41 ERA and an MLB-best 2.09 FIP in 20 starts this yea and leads all qualified pitchers with 5.7 fWAR. The 35-year-old has fanned 189 in 134.1 innings, good for a sterling 12.7 K/9.

He seems fairly eager to get back on the bump. Scherzer declared himself ready to throw late last week.

The Nationals could certainly use him back in the rotation. Since he last pitched on July 25, Washington's starting staff has managed a mediocre 4.45 ERA. He also hasn't been around to chew up innings, leading to a bullpen implosion that has cost them numerous games in recent weeks.

Every game counts down the stretch, and not having Scherzer there to carry the load has hurt the Nationals greatly. Hopefully he can slide right back into a groove to help guide his team to the playoffs here in the first season of the post-Harper era.