Max Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, and the Toronto Blue Jays completed a $15.5 million, one-year contract on Tuesday.
The 40-year-old pitcher made only nine starts with Texas last year, finishing with a 2-4 record and a 3.95 ERA. He began the season on the injured list due to lower back surgery and was on the IL again from August 2 to September 13 because of shoulder fatigue. Scherzer did not pitch after September 14 because of a left hamstring strain.
Scherzer will join a starting rotation that is expected to include Kevin Gausman, José Berríos, and Chris Bassitt. The Blue Jays also have Bowden Francis, who had a strong rookie season, and Yariel Rodríguez, who signed a five-year, $32 million contract last February.
The Blue Jays finished last in the AL East with a 74-88 record and have not won a playoff game since they were eliminated by Cleveland in the 2016 AL Championship Series. They were swept in the wild-card round in 2020, 2022, and 2023.
Adding Scherzer is Toronto’s second major move of the offseason, following the finalization of a $92.5 million, five-year contract with outfielder Anthony Santander on January 20.
Scherzer became a free agent after completing a $130 million, three-year contract with the New York Mets. He signed with the Mets in November 2021 but was traded to Texas in July 2023.
Scherzer won World Series titles with Washington in 2019 and Texas in 2023.
His first Cy Young Award came in 2013 when he went 21-3 with a 2.90 ERA in 32 starts for Detroit. Scherzer won back-to-back NL Cy Young Awards with Washington in 2016 and 2017.
Over 17 seasons, Scherzer is 216-112 with a 3.16 ERA in 466 games, including 457 starts. He has 3,407 strikeouts in 2,878 innings pitched.
Scherzer ranks second among active pitchers in strikeouts, wins, and innings, behind former teammate Justin Verlander in each category.
To make room for Scherzer on the roster, right-hander Michael Petersen was designated for assignment by Toronto.
