VIDEO: Max Scherzer Could Barely Move Before Game 5 While Sharing Scary Descriptions of Injury

Just four hours before first pitch in the most pivotal game in franchise history, the Washington Nationals shockingly announced Max Scherzer would not be making his scheduled start in Game 5 of the World Series due to neck and back spasms. It's hard to imagine any injury keeping Mad Max out of commission for a World Series start, but when the Nats' ace arrived for a press conference, it became visible just how stiff he was.

From that video, it's pretty clear that Scherzer wouldn't be able to fare well on a mound, if he was even able to throw at all. He was incredibly stiff and had to turn his entire body just to address media members who were asking questions.

Chillingly, Scherzer told reporters that he was "completely locked up" when he woke up Sunday morning.

The ailment was so bad, in fact, that Scherzer admitted he wasn't even able to dress himself. As suspected, there was legitimately no way that he'd be able to throw 100+ pitches against one of baseball's best lineups, let alone even one or two.

With Scherzer no longer available to go, Joe Ross will be Washington's starter in Game 5. The Nationals are hoping to have their ace available for Game 7.

Scherzer had a cortisone shot, and now it's a race against the clock for him to be ready to go for the series finale, if necessary.

Scherzer was officially scratched just a few hours before first pitch, and with the Astros already roaring back in the series, this injury is absolutely disastrous for the Nationals.