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Max Scherzer made two seven-inning starts after the neck issue that ended his outing against the Miami Marlins last month after just one inning.
According to reports out of San Diego tonight, however, the issue has returned (on the other side of his neck) and Scherzer informed Nats’ skipper Dusty Baker that he wouldn’t be able to go tonight in his scheduled start against the Padres.
Matt Grace will start in Scherzer’s place jn the second game of four with the Padres in Petco Park.
More info when it’s available. Here are the tweeted reports out of San Diego:
Scherzer just told #Nats a little while ago he can't go tonight. Dusty worried something was wrong when Max showed up early to the park.
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) August 19, 2017
Dusty on Scherzer: "Concerned, but worrying is not going to change it. We'll just try to find a solution for what caused it."
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) August 19, 2017
Nats will get some tests on Scherzer, try and figure out why this issue keeps appearing. Hopeful he won't be out long, but want him healthy.
— Dan Kolko (@masnKolko) August 19, 2017
Dusty said he knew something was up when Scherzer was at the ballpark when he got here. Usually doesn't arrive that early on start days.
— Jorge Castillo (@jorgeccastillo) August 19, 2017
This continues a familiar trend where the Nationals get a player back and lose one at the same time (See: Michael A. Taylor + Brian Goodwin; Shawn Kelley + Ryan Madson). This time Scherzer gets scratched while Stephen Strasburg is set to return to the rotation tomorrow night in San Diego.
More info when it is available...