Scherzer Hasn't Announced Retirement Yet
The 42-year-old pitcher is three strikeouts behind Justin Verlander for eighth on the all-time list, and has not officially ended his career.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Baseball
Max Scherzer has not officially announced his retirement from Major League Baseball. He is expected to play in lockout games near his Florida home.
Why it matters
Scherzer's status leaves open whether he will add to a career that includes 3,556 strikeouts and three Cy Young Awards. A return for one more season would let him pass Justin Verlander on the all-time strikeouts list.
Scherzer posted a 5.46 ERA over 35 starts with Toronto across his last two seasons, compared with a 3.29 career ERA. He was selected No. 11 overall in the 2006 MLB Draft by Arizona.
The players
Max Scherzer
A three-time Cy Young Award winner and eight-time All-Star pitcher who has spent 19 big-league seasons with Arizona, Detroit, Washington, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas, and Toronto.
Justin Verlander
A veteran pitcher and former Cy Young Award winner who currently sits at No. 8 on the all-time strikeouts list, three ahead of Scherzer.
George Springer
A veteran outfielder and teammate of Scherzer with the Toronto Blue Jays, who embraced the pitcher after his final start of the 2026 season.
The details
Scherzer saluted the crowd and hugged teammate George Springer after leaving the mound in his final start of the 2026 season. He has spent his last two seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays and won three Cy Young Awards and eight All-Star selections during a career that began with Arizona.
Timeline
2006: Arizona selects Scherzer No. 11 overall in the MLB Draft.
2008: Scherzer makes his MLB debut with Arizona.
2014: After the season, Scherzer signs a seven-year, $210 million contract with Washington.
2019: Scherzer wins his first World Series with Washington.
2026: Scherzer makes his final start of the season.
Roadmap
Scherzer sits three strikeouts behind Justin Verlander at No. 8 on the all-time list, so his decision determines whether that ranking shifts. A future Hall of Famer, he is closing a career defined by three Cy Young Awards and nearly 3,600 strikeouts.
If Scherzer returns for one more season, he would move past Justin Verlander on the all-time strikeouts list, altering the rankings fans track. Until he announces a decision, his status remains unclear for fantasy and roster planning.
The takeaway
Scherzer's career totals are already among the strongest of his generation, and the decision on whether to pitch again will reshape how his legacy is measured. Watch for an official announcement before drawing conclusions about his standing.
Further reading
Explore more Baseball coverage for context on pitching careers and the sport's upcoming season.
