Max Scherzer Teases Major Announcement About His Future

Max Scherzer isn't ready to say whether Wednesday was one of his final career starts, but he's made clear an answer is coming soon.

The 42-year-old right-hander allowed four runs on four hits across five innings in a 4-2 loss to Baltimore, a game that officially eliminated the Toronto Blue Jays from postseason contention. 

Asked about his future afterward, Scherzer kept the door open without committing either way. "I'll probably say something here in the next couple days," he said.

A Milestone Start That Might Not Be His Last

Wednesday marked the 500th appearance and 491st start of Scherzer's career.

He struck out seven, giving him 3,550 for his career, just four behind former teammate Justin Verlander. Despite the loss and Toronto's elimination, Scherzer wants one more turn on the mound. 

He's hoping to start Sunday's regular-season finale against Cincinnati at Rogers Centre, which would mean pitching on short rest just three days after Wednesday's outing.

Max Scherzer may pitch again on short rest on Sunday for a chance at more strikeouts, per @MitchBannon

Scherzer had 7 strikeouts today and is now 4 behind Justin Verlander, who pitches Saturday, for 8th on the all-time list. pic.twitter.com/QumzKp2a7o

— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) September 23, 2026

"I'm hoping to be able to get back out there on Sunday and finish strong here. I want to pitch in front of Toronto again," Scherzer said. 

Pressed further on what comes after that, he stayed guarded. "I don't know if I want to publicly say, yet," he said. "I'd rather keep the blinders up and address once the season's over. I'm not limping to the finish line, I'm accelerating through the finish line."

Even His Own Team Isn't Sure What's Coming

Blue Jays manager John Schneider offered about as honest an assessment as anyone connected to the situation, putting the odds at roughly 50-50 between Scherzer retiring or returning for a 20th major league season. 

Schneider said he'd leave the door open for a return to Toronto, while acknowledging that decision ultimately isn't his to make.

Max Scherzer says he’d like to pitch again on Sunday in Toronto.

On his future:

“I’ll probably say something here in the next couple of days.” #BlueJays

— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) September 23, 2026

Scherzer fell to 3-9 with a 6.14 ERA this season, a 5.43 FIP, and 61 strikeouts against 34 walks across 77.2 innings, and he's been candid about shouldering blame for Toronto's step back after last year's run to Game 7 of the World Series. 

"Instead of pointing the finger at everybody else, I'll point the finger at myself and what I've done this year," he told reporters. He re-signed with the Blue Jays back in February on a one-year, $3 million deal.