Baseball has been kind to Max Scherzer over the years, but his good fortune suddenly evaporated Tuesday.
The Washington Nationals ace broke his nose in an improbable accident, which took place during batting practice at Nationals Park. Scherzer bunted a ball off his face, leaving him bloodied and bruised the day before he was scheduled to pitch.
The Nationals confirmed later Tuesday that Scherzer broke his nose, according to The Athletic’s Meghan Montemurro.
Nationals manager Dave Martinez told reporters Wednesday Scherzer is adamant he’ll pitch the second game of the Nationals’ day-night doubleheader with the Phillies, despite his injury.
“(Scherzer insists) I’m pitching,” Martinez said, per ESPN.
And it was confirmed Wednesday by Todd Zolecki of MLB Media.
Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, is 5-5 in 15 starts this season but he leads the National League in strikeouts with 136, and his ERA is 2.81.
