Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Thursday that Scherzer's right thumb "feels better today" following his start Wednesday against the Guardians than it did following the pitcher's final rehab start, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

EDGE Analysis

Scherzer threw 83 pitches (eight more than he did in his last rehab outing) Wednesday in Cleveland and said he could've thrown 10 more, if needed. It's good news, as both Scherzer and the Blue Jays weren't sure how the thumb was going to respond. As long as the thumb continues to bounce back well, Scherzer will be allowed to keep increasing his workload moving forward.

Scherzer did not factor into the decision in Wednesday's 5-4 extra-inning loss to the Guardians, allowing three runs on six hits and three walks with four strikeouts over five innings.

EDGE Analysis

Scherzer allowed a run in the first inning and two more in the fourth during his first start since March 29. He threw 55 of 83 pitches for strikes and generated seven whiffs in a solid return to the mound while continuing to manage thumb soreness. The 40-year-old owns a 5.63 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 5:3 K:BB through eight innings this season and lines up for a home matchup with the Yankees next week.

The Blue Jays activated Scherzer (thumb) from the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Scherzer will make his long-awaited return to the Blue Jays rotation Wednesday in Cleveland after missing nearly three months with right thumb inflammation. The 40-year-old struck out eight over 4.1 scoreless innings in his last rehab start a week ago for Triple-A Buffalo, throwing 75 pitches in the outing. Scherzer felt lingering soreness in the thumb after the start and has admitted he's not sure how the thumb will hold up. However, he and the Blue Jays are ready to give it a shot.

Scherzer (thumb) confirmed that he'll be activated from the 60-day injured list to start Wednesday's game in Cleveland, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports. "My stuff is fine," Scherzer said Sunday. "I'm trying everything I can to manage this [thumb] and make sure I can recover...There's no knowing, just have to get out there."

EDGE Analysis

Even though Scherzer is poised to make his first start since March 29, his right thumb seems like it may be an issue that he'll have to continue to manage. After striking out eight batters in 4.1 shutout innings in his second rehab outing with Triple-A Buffalo this past Wednesday, the 40-year-old was still dealing with some lingering soreness in his thumb afterward. Even so, Scherzer was able to temporarily quell concerns about his health by completing a bullpen session Sunday, prompting the Blue Jays to clear him to rejoin the rotation. He built up to 75 pitches during his last rehab start and shouldn't be under any major restrictions Wednesday, though the Blue Jays will presumably keep a careful watch on his workload and his effectiveness should he last deeper into the game.

Scherzer is dealing with some expected soreness in his right thumb following his rehab start Wednesday with Triple-A Buffalo, but he is likely to return from the 60-day injured list during the Blue Jays' series next week in Cleveland, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

EDGE Analysis

Scherzer threw 75 pitches in Wednesday's outing, striking out eight over 4.1 scoreless innings. While it's not ideal that he's experiencing discomfort in his right thumb the day after the start, the Blue Jays were anticipating that would be the case. As long as Scherzer gets through a bullpen session Saturday without any concerns, he'll be cleared to start against the Guardians, likely next Tuesday.

Scherzer (thumb) built up to 75 pitches in a rehab start for Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday, allowing one hit and two walks over 4.1 scoreless innings while striking out eight.

EDGE Analysis

The workload was arguably more important than the numbers in the box score, as the 40-year-old right-hander had trouble getting past about 50 pitches in prior rehab outings earlier in the season without having issues with his thumb. Assuming Scherzer doesn't experience any soreness with the digit following the outing, his next start seems likely to come with the Blue Jays. He could make his return from the 60-day injured list early next week during Toronto's series in Cleveland.

Scherzer (thumb) is aiming to throw 70-to-75 pitches in his rehab start with Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday, which could be the final outing in the minors before being reinstated from the injured list, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 40-year-old allowed two runs and threw 56 pitches over 4.1 innings during his first rehab start Friday, and if he's able to build on that workload Wednesday, his next stop could be back in the big leagues. Scherzer made just one start for Toronto in late March before the thumb inflammation sent him to the injured list, though it was an injury he battled throughout spring training.

Scherzer (thumb) tossed 4.1 innings in a rehab start with Triple-A Buffalo on Friday, allowing two runs on four hits and no walks while striking out four batters.

EDGE Analysis

This was Scherzer's first time pitching in a game since March 29. The veteran hurler landed on the IL due to a right thumb injury shortly after that contest -- his lone regular-season appearance this year -- and had his recovery temporarily stalled by a back injury, but he's now seemingly past the latter issue. Scherzer threw 56 pitches (39 strikes) in Friday's rehab start and sat at 91.9 mph with his fastball, per Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca. He'll likely need at least one more rehab appearance before he's ready to make his return to Toronto's rotation.

Scherzer (thumb) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Buffalo on Friday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

EDGE Analysis

Scherzer is in line to throw 60-to-65 pitches in what will be his first start since he went down with right thumb inflammation in late March. The 40-year-old will need at least one additional rehab start after Friday's outing before rejoining the Blue Jays' rotation.

Scherzer (thumb) is tentatively scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Buffalo on Friday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

EDGE Analysis

Scherzer had a successful 50-pitch simulated game Sunday and will throw a bullpen session Tuesday or Wednesday. Assuming he comes out of that without a setback, he'll be cleared for a formal rehab start Friday. Scherzer is slated for 60-to-65 pitches in the outing with Buffalo and would require at least one additional rehab start after that before rejoining the Blue Jays' rotation. The 40-year-old has been out since late March with right thumb inflammation.