Max Scherzer, 40, delivered a vintage performance in just his third start of 2025 Spring Training. The right-hander struck out six different Tigers in 3 1/3 innings of one-hit scoreless pitching, leading the Blue Jays to a 5-0 victory at TD Ballpark. Scherzer's diverse arsenal of pitches—including two 94 mph four-seamers, two changeups, one slider, and one curve—kept the Tigers' hitters off balance. Toronto manager John Schneider removed Scherzer after 49 pitches (38 strikes), and All-Star first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. applauded the veteran, who has an impressive pitching line of nine innings, 14 strikeouts, zero walks, three hits, and two earned runs in his new uniform.
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Coming off a challenging 2024 season with the Rangers, where injuries limited him to a 2-4 record and a 3.95 ERA in 43 1/3 innings, Scherzer appears to be in top form. After undergoing back surgery for a herniated disk and dealing with a shoulder flareup and hamstring injury, Scherzer is grateful to be healthy again. "I’ve got a few years of … I know what it’s like to be healthy. I was able to pitch with every pitch, working with [catcher Alejandro] Kirk to kind of get to the right lanes. I got in my work," Scherzer said with a smile. With this strong start, Scherzer is poised to make a significant impact for the Blue Jays in the upcoming season.

Extension talks between the Blue Jays and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. failed to yield a deal before the start of Spring Training, aligning with the slugger's self-imposed deadline. Although Guerrero left the door open to other offers from Toronto, he mentioned last month that he expects to test free agency. In a Spanish-language interview with Enrique Rojas and Juan Arturo Recio of ESPN, Guerrero provided insights into the negotiations. A summary of his comments was published in English by ESPN. Notably, Guerrero stated that his camp's final offer to the Blue Jays was below $600 million, without specifying the exact amount. He also rejected comparisons to the $765 million deal secured by Juan Soto from the Mets.
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The four-time All-Star's remarks highlight his stance on the negotiations and his expectations moving forward. Guerrero's decision to test free agency indicates his desire to explore potential opportunities and maximize his value on the open market. As one of the game's premier talents, his future contract discussions will be closely monitored by fans and analysts alike. The Blue Jays, meanwhile, face the challenge of retaining their star player while navigating the complexities of high-stakes negotiations.

​The Blue Jays announced that the following players have been reassigned to Minor League camp: catcher Robert Brooks, catcher Andres Sosa, right-handed pitcher Adam Kloffenstein, infielder Charles McAdoo, infielder Rainer Nunez, infielder Eddinson Paulino, and outfielder RJ Schreck. Additionally, left-handed pitcher Adam Macko has been optioned to Triple-A Buffalo.

Veteran pitcher Max Scherzer made his debut with the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday, marking his first appearance under Major League Baseball's automated ball-strike (ABS) system. Despite a sharp two-inning performance against the St. Louis Cardinals, where he struck out four batters, Scherzer faced frustration with two robot challenges that transformed strikes into balls. His skepticism of the ABS system was clear. "I'm a little skeptical on this," Scherzer told The Athletic. "I get what we're trying to do here, but I think major league umpires are really good. So what are we actually changing here?"

​The ABS system, currently being tested in major league spring training after extensive trials in the minors, has sparked debate among players and coaches. Scherzer added, "We know there are going to be strikes that are changed to balls, and balls that are changed to strikes. So we're going to basically be even. So are we actually going to improve the game? Are the umpires really that bad? I don't think so." He also expressed a desire to return to traditional human judgment, stating, "Can we just play baseball? We're humans. Can we just be judged by humans? Do we really need to disrupt the game?"

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. revealed on Saturday that he will consider all 30 teams, including the New York Yankees, when he reaches free agency this winter. This marks a significant departure from his previous stance, where he vowed never to play for the Yankees due to an experience involving his father. Guerrero emphasized that he has moved past those comments and is open to discussions with any team interested in signing him.
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In 2022, Guerrero made headlines by declaring, "I would never sign with the Yankees, not even when I'm dead," and had repeatedly expressed his refusal to join the team. He attributed his decision to family reasons. However, during his recent interview with the New York Post, Guerrero stated through an interpreter, "If I go to free agency, every team -- all 30 teams -- are going to have the opportunity to sit down with [me], to talk to me. I'm OK with everything. It's in the past." Guerrero's openness to new possibilities signals a potential shift in the free agency landscape as teams prepare to make their pitches.

The Toronto Blue Jays are running out of time to secure a long-term deal with superstar Vladimir Guerrero Jr., as the young slugger's deadline for contract extension approaches. Guerrero, who has been one of the most prolific hitters in Major League Baseball since debuting in 2019, is set to become a free agent after the 2025 season. With his talent continuing to flourish, the Blue Jays are keen to lock up their franchise player for the foreseeable future. The team has been in negotiations with Guerrero's camp for months, but with the clock ticking, both sides will need to come to terms quickly to avoid the uncertainty of arbitration or free agency down the line.
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The Blue Jays know how crucial Guerrero is to their offense and the overall direction of the team. While Guerrero has expressed his desire to stay with Toronto, the financials of a potential extension are still being worked out. With his impressive track record of power hitting and leadership in the clubhouse, the Blue Jays face a tough task to meet Guerrero's expectations while managing their payroll. As the deadline draws near, all eyes will be on the negotiations, as securing Guerrero’s future in Toronto could be the key to their championship aspirations in the years to come.




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According to reports, the Toronto Blue Jays are reportedly the most serious about signing veteran right-hander Max Scherzer. 

​Scherzer, 40, was limited to just nine starts last season due to physical issues, posting a 3.95 ERA (101 ERA+) and a 4.00 strikeout-to-walk ratio in those appearances

The Toronto Blue Jays have signed right-handed pitcher Adam Kloffenstein to a minor league deal, with an invitation to spring training.

Kloffenstein made his MLB debut last season with the Cardinals while throwing throwing 1 inning.
In the minors last year, he had a 4.74 ERA and 1.33 WHIP over 89.1 innings with the Memphis Redbirds.