With the Mets leading 6-2 in the sixth inning, Max Scherzer delivered a pitch to fellow future Hall of Famer Albert Puljos and felt a twinge on his side. Scherzer immediately motioned to the dugout that he couldn’t pitch anymore.
After a brief discussion with Manager Buck Schowalter and Pitching Coach Jeremy Hefner, Scherzer left the ball game with what was later disclosed as left side discomfort.
Max Scherzer motions to the dugout and leaves the game in the middle of the 6th: pic.twitter.com/EG5DkMTBN2
— SNY (@SNYtv) May 19, 2022
The Mets would win the game 11-4, but all the focus was on Scherzer. The Mets are already thin with injuries to key arms. Jacob deGrom likely won’t return to the mound until July at the earliest as he rehabs from a right shoulder strain, and Tylor Megill just landed on the injury list. The Mets could ill afford to lose Scherzer for an extended period of time.
The good news is that Scherzer knew something was wrong and took himself out of the game. He believes saving himself from further injury.
Max Scherzer explains what he left in the 6th inning:
— SNY (@SNYtv) May 19, 2022
"Just felt a zing in my left side and just knew I was done"
On what he thinks the injury could be:
"I don't think this is a major strain... hopefully I got out of there quick enough to prevent a major injury here." pic.twitter.com/gJ0wI4zOoc
Manager Buck Schowalter added that no matter how the injury turns out, the team has to move forward.
"This is not a sky is falling team."
— SNY (@SNYtv) May 19, 2022
- Buck Showalter pic.twitter.com/lfIFn1sTVX