Nationals' Max Scherzer Returns to Injured List With Back Injury
By Sam Dunn
Max Scherzer returned from the 10-day injured list last week to every Nationals fan's delight. However, after just one start, the all-world ace is heading right back onto the shelf.
Washington announced Monday afternoon that a nagging back injury has forced Scherzer to the IL once again.
We've recalled RHP Erick Fedde from Double-A Harrisburg and placed RHP Max Scherzer on the 10-Day IL (retroactive to July 26) with a mild rhomboid strain.
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) July 29, 2019
? // https://t.co/c5u7kmx2VH pic.twitter.com/d91lX1Nxih
Righty Eric Fedde will take the seven-time All-Star's place on the active roster, and is likely to start Tuesday against Atlanta.
Thursday against the Rockies marked Scherzer's first start in 19 days, and he didn't quite have his best stuff. He fought through five innings and surrendered three earned runs, the most he'd coughed up since May 17. All told, however, his 2.41 ERA and league-leading 2.10 FIP would be the best single-season marks of his decorated career, and there's absolutely no like-for-like replacement for his pure class.
Max Scherzer, 94mph Fastball and 88mph Slider, Overlay.
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 25, 2019
Good luck. ? pic.twitter.com/AHOUBjXHF9
Thus, it becomes an uncomfortable waiting game in the nation's capital. And with the NL East-leading Braves now coming to town, the pressure's only ratcheted up even higher.