Max ScherzerTOR · SP

2026 review

Max Scherzer missed bats less than his price suggested, a 5.74 ERA and 1.33 WHIP in 84.2 IP, an 18.7 K% and a 9.6 BB% over 364 BF. He signed as a free agent with TOR Mar 2, went on the 15-day IL Apr 27 for right forearm tendinitis and left ankle inflammation, took a rehab assignment, was activated Jun 10, then went back on the 15-day IL Jun 17 for back spasms before being activated Jul 27, missing 89 regular-season days across 2 stints. Drafted at NFBC ADP rank 856, he finished 1160th of 1472 in the TDK LABS 5x5 value rank, 304 spots below, and 193rd of 236 SP. His ERA ran 5.74 against a 4.24 xERA over 364 BF, 1.50 above expected. He fared better against right-handed batters, .175/.218/.341 over 133 PA, than against lefties, .280/.372/.460 over 232 PA. His best month was Aug at a 3.62 ERA in 32.1 IP against a 13.50 ERA in 12.2 IP in Apr; his longest IL stint saw a 9.64 ERA in 18.2 IP before against a 4.64 ERA in 66.0 IP after activation. The TDK LABS card had him working back from the forearm and ankle stack in mid-May, and by mid-Sep it had him in a decline phase with drifted command and softened strikeout rate.