The Washington Nationals pitchers and catchers have convened for the start of Spring Training. However, one of their aces is already slowed. Max Scherzer sprained his left ankle while conditioning about two weeks ahead of Spring Training, according to Nationals manager Davey Martinez.
Scherzer is considered “day-to-day” as the Nationals have instructed him to slow down his preparation. As a result, Scherzer is not yet throwing off the mound. The injury isn’t considered serious, but given the current stage of his career, it’s worth monitoring as Spring Training progresses.
The three-time Cy Young winner is entering the final year of a $210 million, seven-year pact with the Nationals. At the age of 36, Max Scherzer is looking to bounce back from drop-off year during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.
Last season, he posted a 5-4 record in 12 starts with a 3.74 ERA and 1.381 WHIP. It was the first season he had an ERA of 3.00 or higher since 2014 — his final year with the Detroit Tigers.
The Nationals will once again count on their starting pitching to drive their season, particularly with their dynamic trio of Stephen Strasburg, Patrick Corbin and Scherzer. Strasburg is looking to bounce back from a nerve injury in his pitching hand that shut him down last year. Meanwhile Corbin and Scherzer are looking to show 2020 was just an aberration. However, Scherzer will have a bit of a delay to his bounce back campaign due to his sprained ankle.
