Washington Nationals star pitcher Max Scherzer broke his nose in a freak batting practice incident Tuesday afternoon, the team announced.
Scherzer was slated to start one of the Nationals’ two games Wednesday, but his status is now “TBD,” according to an official.
During a bunting drill, a ball ricocheted off Scherzer’s bat at an odd angle and hit him in the face.
WATCH - Max Scherzer, who’s scheduled to start Wednesday, was hit in the face by a ball during batting practice.
— Nationals on MASN (@masnNationals) June 18, 2019
Details: https://t.co/sNoPv3co00 pic.twitter.com/27FonlyC33
A CAT scan came back negative, the official said.
Scherzer was originally scheduled to pitch Wednesday against the Philadelphia Phillies. After Monday’s series opener was rained out and postponed to Wednesday, manager Dave Martinez said Scherzer would start one of the two games of the doubleheader. A broken nose may not preclude Scherzer from pitching.
In his afternoon press conference, Martinez said he hadn’t yet been able to check in on Scherzer personally, but that the team was getting him looked at.
This season, Scherzer is 5-5 with a 2.81 ERA, a 1.077 WHIP and a National League-leading 136 strikeouts.
• Adam Zielonka can be reached at azielonka@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.