Blue Jays Facing Shane Bieber Decision After Unfortunate Max Scherzer News

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Max Scherzer will not make his scheduled start Wednesday against the Boston Red Sox. Instead, the Blue Jays will be forced to rely on their bullpen.

Hours before first pitch, the Blue Jays announced that Scherzer had been placed on the 15-day injured list with back spasms. Chad Dallas was recalled from Triple-A in a corresponding move.

This marks Scherzer's second stint on the injured list this year. The 41-year-old missed over a month due to both right forearm tendinitis and left ankle inflammation. Even when on the mound this year, Scherzer has struggled. Across six games, he has gone 1-4 with a 10.23 ERA, collecting just 14 strikeouts in 22 innings of work.

ROSTER MOVES:



RHP Max Scherzer placed on 15-day IL (back spasms, retroactive to June 14)



RHP Chad Dallas recalled from Triple-A and will be active tonight pic.twitter.com/OrHJlN4hxG

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) June 17, 2026

With Scherzer set to miss at least the next two weeks, the Blue Jays have a decision to make on who will replace him in the starting rotation. The obvious answer is right-hander Shane Bieber.

Bieber is already set to return after his last rehab start in Triple-A, where he tossed five innings and reached 80 pitches (h/t Mitch Bannon of The Athletic).

The team now has to decide whether they have seen enough to slot him right back into the rotation, especially with his fastball sitting at its usual velocity, or whether they will not rush him back simply because of Scherzer's setback.

Shane Bieber reached 80 pitches in his latest AAA rehab start:



5IP 5ER 2K 4BB 2HR

60% strikes

Fastball averaged 91.8 mph, peaked at 93.0



He'll join the #BlueJays on the road to determine next steps

— Mitch Bannon (@MitchBannon) June 17, 2026

Even if Scherzer had not gotten hurt, Bieber could have potentially taken his place in the rotation given how much Scherzer has struggled.

Bieber was re-signed this past offseason to a one-year, $16 million deal, but has dealt with right elbow inflammation all year. Fortunately, his season debut appears to be right around the corner.

Related: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Reacts to Blue Jays Development

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This story was originally published June 17, 2026 at 1:06 PM.