Future Hall of Fame pitcher Max Scherzer is set to make his return to the mound for Toronto on Wednesday when the Blue Jays play the middle game of a three-game set at the Cleveland Guardians.

Manager John Schneider has officially listed Scherzer as the starter in that game. It will mark his first appearance since his Blue Jays debut versus Baltimore on March 29.

“That’s a huge, huge addition for us,” Schneider said after Sunday’s 4-2 loss to the Chicago White Sox. “That’s Max Scherzer. I’ll take that any day of the week.”

Scherzer signed a one-year, $15.5 million deal with Toronto in February.

He only lasted three innings versus the Orioles in the third game of the season. He was initially placed on the 15-day injured list on March 30 with inflammation in his right thumb, but was eventually transferred to the 60-day IL.

The 40-year-old has received two cortisone injections and was eligible to come off the list on May 29. He made two rehab starts for Triple-A Buffalo on June 13 and 18, fanning 12 batters and allowing two earned runs in 8 2/3 innings of work. He threw 75 pitches at Columbus on Wednesday and completed a bullpen session in Toronto on Sunday.

“He’s ready to go,” Schneider said. “The thumb is a thing. It’s a real thing. I think that getting to 75 pitches in his last start is a good thing and we just have to monitor it as we go. He knows his stuff is where it should be. I’m really, really excited to have him back.”

–Field Level Media