Max Scherzer Addresses MLB Retirement Ahead of Final Start After Blue Jays Miss 2026 Playoffs

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Max Scherzer says he hasn't yet decided whether his Saturday start against the visiting Cincinnati Reds will be the final appearance of his MLB career.

"The only thing I'll say about my future here is I'm going to make this decision about playing next year later in the offseason," Schertzer told reporters Saturday.

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Scherzer is expected to start Sunday's matchup against the Reds, which will mark the Blue Jays' last game of the season following the club's elimination from playoff contention.

He said Saturday he'd been eyeing the game "for a couple weeks" with the goal of pitching again in front of his children, who couldn't make it to Baltimore for his most recent start Wednesday at the Orioles.

"Just want to go out there and pitch tomorrow knowing that, hey, you never know, it could be my last," Scherzer said.

This marks the 18th start of the season for Scherzer, who turned 42 in July and spent significant stretches of this campaign on the injured list.

He is heading into Saturday with a career-high 6.14 ERA and 1.365 WHIP through 77.2 innings pitched.

Schertzer dealt with thumb issues throughout his first season in Toronto before re-signing with the Jays on a one-year, $3 million deal this offseason.

He missed time during his second campaign in Toronto with health issues including right forearm tendinitis, left ankle inflammation and back spasms.

Scherzer told reporters Saturday he feels healthier heading into the offseason, but named the upcoming expiration of MLB's labor agreement as a reason to remain uncertain about his plans for 2027.

"I've gone through ups and downs through this season, I get it, but I've gotten to this point where I'm pretty healthy," Scherzer said. "I've talked to everybody in my inner circle, and we all kind of feel the same way: We don't need to make a decision today. Get to the offseason, and just see how things unfold."

Sunday's start will cap off a 19-year MLB career during which Scherzer won three Cy Young Awards with the Washington Nationals to go along with World Series titles with the Nationals and Texas Rangers.

Scherzer's health, how the Blue Jays react to their stymied World Series hopes, and the status of ongoing CBA negotiations could all impact what the pitcher's future looks like as he prepares to hit unrestricted free agency ahead of his age-43 season.