Washington Nationals: Max Scherzer Won’t Pitch In World Baseball Classic
By Ricky Keeler
The Washington Nationals announced yesterday that Max Scherzer is not going to be pitching for Team USA because of a stress facture on his ring finger
It was surprising news yesterday, but the Washington Nationals announced that the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner, Max Scherzer, will not be pitching for Team USA in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. He reportedly is trying to recover from a stress fracture in the knuckle of his right ring finger:
Nats announce Max Scherzer will NOT pitch in the World Baseball Classic, citing the "rehab of a stress fracture" in his right ring finger.
— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) January 9, 2017
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As someone who enjoys watching the World Baseball Classic, this is a big blow for Team USA’s pitching staff as they prepare for group play as they are as in the same group with the Dominican Republic. Plus, it is great to see players wanting to represent their country, as I wrote about how he was the right choice for Team USA in November.
However, it is understandable that some fans do not want the team to allow their players to play in this event during spring training. However, as Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post tweeted yesterday, the Washington Nationals do let their players participate in this event, such as Daniel Murphy playing for Team USA:
Nats GM Mike Rizzo has gone out of his way to say how much he wants U.S. to win a WBC. Has not prevented his guys from playing.
— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) January 9, 2017
Shortly after the news broke, Scherzer issued his own statement on Twitter, including how he pitched the final month or so of the season with a sprain in his finger, which is amazing in itself when you consider how dominant he was in the second half of the season:
— Max Scherzer (@Max_Scherzer) January 9, 2017
It has to be a relief that Scherzer should be able to pitch in spring training when it officially starts on February 14. With the injury histories of Stephen Strasburg and Joe Ross, the Washington Nationals need Scherzer to be 100% healthy this season to have a chance at winning the NL East and advancing in the postseason.
Last season, the Washington Nationals were fairly healthy when it came to injuries unlike 2015 when players such as Anthony Rendon, Denard Span, and Doug Fister (among others) were out for extended periods of time. Scherzer isn’t out for the regular season, but this isn’t exactly the injury news Nats fans wanted to hear in January.
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Yes, there should be some concern when it comes to this injury for Scherzer. However, if he is healthy for spring training and the regular season, then missing the World Baseball Classic won’t be a huge deal if the Washington Nationals ace makes his usual 30+ starts.