Blue Jays pitcher Max Scherzer (31) waves to the crowd as he leaves the game after being pulled during the fifth inning of Game 7 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Toronto on Nov. 1, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

By The Canadian Press

Scherzer throws five shutout innings as Blue Jays top Twins 2-1 in pre-season play

Mar 20, 2026 | 12:56 PM

FORT MYERS — Max Scherzer threw five shutout innings to lead the Toronto Blue Jays to a 2-1 pre-season win over the Minnesota Twins on Friday at Lee Health Sports Complex.

The veteran right-hander gave up two hits and two walks while striking out three. He threw 53 of his 73 pitches for strikes.

Josh Kasevich had two doubles and drove in a run for the Blue Jays (11-13).

Davis Schneider and Nathan Lukes also chipped in with two hits apiece.

The Twins (8-17) halved the deficit in the ninth inning when Ian Daugherty scored on a Jayson Bass double.

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Lazaro Estrada earned his first save by picking off Yilber Herrera at second base to end the game.

Kasevich was assigned to minor-league camp after the game along with catcher CJ Stubbs and outfielders Yohendrick Pinango and RJ Schreck.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 20, 2026.

The Canadian Press