A hamstring injury kept Max Scherzer off the mound on Opening Day, but the former Nationals ace will mark his return to Washington by starting the second game of the 2022 MLB season.
Scherzer told reporters Thursday he "was able to pass all the tests" and will make his New York Mets debut against his former club on Friday.
(Full coverage of the game can be heard on 106.7 The Fan, the flagship station for the Washington Nationals.)
Coming off what he called a minor injury, Scherzer said he isn’t sure how many pitches he’ll be able to throw in his first return to Nationals Park since he was sent to the Los Angeles Dodgers before the trade deadline last season. He signed a two-year, $86.7 million deal with the Mets this offseason.
When asked if he had any expectations for what kind of reception Nats fans would give him, Scherzer told reporters, “that’s up to the fans. Whatever they want.”
In seven seasons with Washington, Scherzer tallied a 92-47 record with a 2.80 ERA, led the league in strikeouts three times, earned back-to-back Cy Young Awards, and was instrumental in winning the 2019 World Series.
“A lot of good memories here,” Scherzer said about his time in Washington. “But nothing lasts forever.”
