Scherzer remains focused on process early in spring training with Blue Jays

DUNEDIN, Fla. — The first pitch of Max Scherzer's Grapefruit League outing Sunday was a strike on the outside part of the plate. Nothing complicated or controversial about it. 0-1.

But Trea Turner, the Phillies shortstop who once won a World Series with Scherzer in Washington, didn’t appear to see it that way. Whether he’d heard Scherzer’s recent critique of the spring challenge system isn’t clear, but either way, Turner challenged the pitch, which was soon confirmed as a strike.

So was he messing with Scherzer?

“Of course,” the 40-year-old right-hander said with a laugh. “Not a doubt in my mind.”

“They’re just messing with me.”

One pitch later, Scherzer retired Turner on a pop-up, setting in motion a strong start in which he went 3.2 innings while striking out four Phillies and allowing just one run.

“Trea’s obviously one of my favourite teammates of all-time,” Scherzer said. “We’ll have a good laugh about it.”

Physically, Scherzer feels stronger than he did early last year, when a nerve issue that bothered him from his thumb all the way through his triceps. At this point in the spring, that’s more important than the line score or the radar gun (Scherzer topped out at 93.5 m.p.h. while throwing 47 pitches).

“I’m not taking anything from the results yet,” Scherzer said. “I’m looking at the process. Can I throw a four-seam (fastball) glove side? Can I throw a four-seam arm-side? It’s little checkmarks and making sure you can do that.”

Later in the game, Bowden Francis continued his build-up in what will likely be his final relief appearance before returning to a traditional starting role in one of Saturday’s split-squad games. The 28-year-old’s in a much different place than he was this time last year, as he’s now guaranteed a rotation spot, but he’s making a point of pushing himself nonetheless.

"It's a little different but also my mindset hasn't changed," he said. “I’ve got to keep learning and I’ve got to keep proving. I can’t just put it in cruise control, but it gives you a little bit of comfort to work on your stuff more.”

In 103.2 innings last year, Francis posted a 3.30 ERA with 92 strikeouts compared to 22 walks. If he can build on those results in 2025, the Blue Jays have a chance to have one of the more consistent rotations in the American League from one through five.

“I’m not sitting back in the chair by any means,” Francis continued. “I’m still working hard like each day’s my last.”

SOME BATTING ORDER HINTS

Gradually, the Blue Jays’ batting order is taking shape, with Bo Bichette, Will Wagner, Andres Gimenez and George Springer all emerging as candidates to hit up top depending on the day. The consistent part will be Vladimir Guerrero Jr. followed by Anthony Santander in the 2-3 or 3-4 spots.

On days Gimenez is hitting later in the order, the Blue Jays will likely place him before Alejandro Kirk to make the most of the second baseman’s speed. If Kirk were hitting ahead of Gimenez, it would deprive Gimenez of some stolen base chances, but if he’s hitting before Kirk, he can steal freely and avoid some double plays.

THIRD BASE REPS FOR GUERRERO JR.

When first baseman Spencer Horwitz and designated hitter Justin Turner were still on the Blue Jays, Guerrero Jr. played third base semi-regularly. The roster looks different now, but Guerrero Jr. continues taking ground balls at third base, so that he’s "an option if we need him,” according to manager John Schneider.

That preparation will extend to Grapefruit League action on Wednesday, when Guerrero Jr. is slated to start at third in Bradenton, Fla. against the Pirates. And by the sounds of it, he’s up for the challenge.

“He loves it, actually,” Schneider said.

CONTRACT TALKS

Tony Clark led a contingent of MLBPA representatives through Blue Jays camp Sunday morning, as the executive director continued his annual tour through spring training. Players had questions about the upcoming collective bargaining agreement, which is set to expire following the 2026 season, and this was their chance to ask them in person rather than through player rep Chris Bassitt.

The MLBPA was, of course, aware of the extension talks that occurred between Guerrero Jr. and the Blue Jays earlier this year, but Clark said his involvement has been minimal so far.

“I haven't been a part of the conversations that have that have been had here and don't know how those discussions have gone, but there's no doubt that Vlad Jr. is one of the best players in our game, and if he actually does get to free agency, I’m interested to see all the teams that are going to be interested in his services.” 

PITCHING CHANGE

Some people are saying the sweeper is out of vogue because hitters have figured out how to hit the once-trendy pitch that travels relatively slowly and breaks horizontally. “The league has kind of adjusted to the pitch going across the zone,” Schneider said. That’s one reason Kevin Gausman is throwing a new, cutter-like slider that has a sharp, vertical drop intended to help neutralize lefties.