Scherzer likely done for World Series

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UPDATE: Tuesday, 4:30 PM – Max Scherzer, after throwing in Houston before Game 6, tells reporters, "I'm good."

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The Washington Nationals ace, Max Scherzer, is likely done for the World Series, 106.7 The Fan's Grant Paulsen said Monday.

Scherzer was scratched from his Game 5 start Sunday against the Houston Astros hours before he was scheduled to pitch due to right trapezius spasms. The Nationals lost 7-1 after starting Joe Ross and fell behind the Astors 3-2 in the series.
Stephen Strasburg is scheduled to pitch Tuesday night to keep the Nats' hopes alive, but if Washington is able to even the series, Scherzer will likely be unavailable Wednesday. 
"All I can say is, at least two people I talked to (Sunday) that have talked to him, I don't think there's any chance he pitches in Game 7," Paulsen told The Sports Junkies.

"One of the people said basically, 'There's no way, it's absolutely not happening,'" Paulsen said Monday on The Fan. "The other one was like, 'Well, let's just see what happens with the cortisone shots and all that.' But I mean their expectation as of when he told them he couldn't go basically was, 'We'll see you in spring training,' at that moment."

Of course, there is still the slim possibility Scherzer is able to pitch in Game 7 if the Nationals get there. Nobody in the right mind would doubt Scherzer's toughness, especially after a 10-strikeout performance in June against the Philadelphia Phillies just one day after breaking his nose and sporting a large black eye. 
"I can tell you now that he's very upset," Nationals skipper Davey Martinez said before Game 5. "He wants to be out there with his teammates, but hopefully we can get him back here for either Game 6 or 7."

However, it is an uphill climb for Scherzer, who admitted he wasn't able to dress himself Sunday morning, to be able to start or be available in the bullpen for the biggest game of the season on Wednesday. 

Scherzer missed a few weeks in July and August during two separate stints on the Injured List due to back issues. The first stint in July was due to an inflamed bursa sac under his right shoulder (after the injury was initially misdiagnosed) and the second trip to the IL was due to a mild rhomboid strain.

Because of the various injuries, Scherzer made just 27 starts in 2019, the lowest of his career since he was a rookie in 2008. However, he was still very effective, posting a 2.92 ERA over 172 1/3 innings with 243 strikeouts.

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