Max Scherzer wishes Justin Verlander well, leaves door open for 2027 return

Max Scherzer is not going to rush into a decision about retirement.

Scherzer, the 42-year-old three-time Cy Young Award winner, told reporters in Toronto that he will put off a decision on whether he will pitch in 2027 until the offseason. He plans to make one more appearance, on three days' rest, with the Blue Jays in their season finale Sunday, Sept. 27 at Rogers Centre. Scherzer said he wanted to ensure his wife and children got to see him pitch one more time, regardless of future plans.

Scherzer is a 224-game winner who ranks ninth on Major League Baseball's all-time strikeout list with 3,550 career punchouts. Like his longtime Detroit Tigers teammate, 43-year-old Justin Verlander, Scherzer is a lock for induction into baseball's Hall of Fame.

Verlander, a 266-game winner, ranks eighth on the strikeout list with 3,560 strikeouts; he struck out six in the final game of his career Saturday at Detroit's Comerica Park. It was just his second start of the season after myriad injuries.

Pitching into 2027 would afford Scherzer the chance to pass Verlander if he can't do so Sunday. Scherzer also needs just 91 strikeouts to pass Don Sutton and Tom Seaver and move…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/sports/