Blue Jays’ Scherzer says forearm preventing him from ramping up

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Max Scherzer told reporters Wednesday he is still searching for answers regarding his forearm, according to Mitch Bannon of The Athletic.

Scherzer went on the injured list with forearm tendinitis and left ankle inflammation on April 27. He said his ankle discomfort has gone away, but it’s the forearm that is holding him back despite an MRI showing no damage.

“The foot, I’m not worried about. My concern is more on this forearm, because now we’ve given it enough time outside of a start, like I should be ramping back up,” Scherzer said, adding he planned to talk to doctors to “figure it out.”

Scherzer is 1-3 with a 9.64 ERA in five starts this season since rejoining the Jays on a one-year, incentive-laden deal. He had a 5.19 ERA in 17 starts last season and made an additional three starts in the postseason, including two in the World Series.

Meanwhile, right-hander Shane Bieber (arm fatigue) threw Wednesday morning at Tropicana Field ahead of the Jays’ series finale against the Rays. Bannon reports manager John Schneider told reporters Bieber looked sharp and plans to face live hitters next week after another bullpen.

Schneider also revealed that injured catcher Alejandro Kirk (thumb) is on track in his six-week recovery timeline from thumb surgery. He has not played since April 3.

“With him starting to hit this weekend, I think that probably puts it right on schedule,” Schneider said via Bannon.

Outfielder Addison Barger (ankle) will play another rebab game for the Dunedin Blue Jays Wednesday evening. If all goes well, Barger will fly to Toronto and join the Jays for their series opener against the Los Angeles Angels Friday evening.

Barger has not played at the MLB level since April 5.