Hours after delivering a gutsy performance in Game 7 of the World Series, the 41-year-old right-hander made it clear he’s not ready to hang up his cleats. Despite the Toronto Blue Jays’ crushing 5-4 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 11 innings, Max Scherzer told reporters he plans to pitch in 2026.

“The only thing I can say is it’s going to take some time to give a full answer to that, but there is no way that was my last pitch,” Scherzer said after Saturday’s game, according to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers.

A Warrior’s Performance in the Biggest Game

Max Scherzer showed he still has plenty left in the tank during Game 7. The three-time Cy Young Award winner battled through 4 1/3 innings, allowing just one earned run while striking out three Dodgers batters. When manager John Schneider finally pulled him from the game, Rogers Centre erupted in a standing ovation.

“I thought Max was really good,” Schneider said. “I thought he was exactly what we thought he would be in a big game.”

It was vintage Max Scherzer—the intensity, the competitiveness, the refusal to back down on baseball’s biggest stage. For a pitcher whose career has been defined by big moments, this Game 7 start added another chapter to his Hall of Fame resume.

Health Concerns Can’t Dim the Competitive Fire

The question surrounding Max Scherzer’s future stems from legitimate health concerns. After building a reputation as one of the game’s most durable workhorses, nerve issues in his hand and thumb have limited him to just 26 starts over the past two seasons. He made only 17 starts during the 2025 regular season, posting a 5.19 ERA that raised eyebrows across the league.

But looking beyond the surface-level numbers reveals a different story. Some of Max Scherzer’s advanced suggests he pitched better than his ERA indicates, performing at a level comparable to solid mid-rotation arms. His 16.5% strikeout-minus-walk rate ranked alongside pitchers like Carlos Rodon and Casey Mize. The underlying metrics show a pitcher who can still contribute, even if Father Time has stolen some of his dominance.

The Market for Mad Max

Max Scherzer signed a one-year, $15.5 million deal with Toronto last offseason after appearing in just nine games with the Texas Rangers in 2024. Given another injury-shortened campaign, he’ll likely need to accept a similar or slightly reduced contract for 2026.

The market for aging pitchers remains tricky. Justin Verlander, another future Hall of Famer, secured a one-year, $15 million guarantee from San Francisco last winter after posting a 5.48 ERA in 17 starts. Scherzer’s postseason performance and competitive makeup could help him land in that same ballpark, though teams will need assurance about his health.

Where Could Scherzer Land?

Several contenders emerged from this postseason in need of starting pitching depth. The Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox, and Houston Astros all reached October and have been connected to the pitching market. Teams like the Atlanta Braves and San Francisco Giants missed the playoffs but figure to pursue upgrades for 2026.

A return to Toronto makes sense. The Blue Jays will lose both Scherzer and Chris Bassitt to free agency, creating rotation spots that need filling. The franchise came agonizingly close to a championship, and Scherzer clearly enjoyed his time north of the border.

---