It appears Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer could be on the mound pitching Tuesday. The three-time Cy Young winner threw a 40-pitch bullpen session Saturday in between the Nats doubleheader against the New York Mets.
After the session, Scherzer went past a group of reporters telling them “40-pitch bullpen, all good. See you Tuesday,” according to Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports.
The bullpen session is a huge step for Scherzer. The right-handed hurler was placed on the 10-day injured list this week retroactive to June 12 with groin inflammation. Scherzer exited his last start on June 11 in the first inning after just 12 pitches.
He had tried to avoid landing on the IL. However, after an attempt at a bullpen session, his start this past Wednesday was skipped before the Nats opted to place on the IL. He is eligible to return Tuesday.
Scherzer’s return will be welcomed. While the Nationals won five-straight before Saturday’s loss to the Mets in Game 1, Washington needs one of their two aces back. Stephen Strasburg has been out since June 2 with a neck strain.
The Nationals have had to scramble to piece together their rotation with their best two arms out. Hopefully, they’ll get back one in Max Scherzer on Tuesday.
