Can He Keep Going? Scherzer on Retirement, Relief, and the 2026 Outlook

On a crisp evening at Rogers Centre, Max Scherzer stood on the mound for Game 7 of the 2025 World Series, delivering 4.1 innings of one–run baseball against a stacked Dodgers lineup. At 41 years old, after a season rife with injuries, doubts, and an uneven regular-season ERA of 5.19, many wondered if that was his curtain call. Instead, Scherzer made it clear: “I can’t see how that’s the last pitch I’ve ever thrown.” One year later, heading into the 2026 season, we take stock of what’s real, what’s aspirational, and whether Mad Max still has something up his sleeve.

2025: A Rollercoaster Year

Scherzer’s regular season was rocky. In 17 starts he posted a 5-5 record, logged 85 innings, struck out 82 batters, and registered an ERA of 5.19, with a 1.29 WHIP—far from vintage Mad Max. After spring thumb inflammation sidelined him, his performance was inconsistent, particularly during a six-start stretch late in the season when his ERA ballooned to 9.00. But when the lights turned brightest in October, he rediscovered form, posting a 3.77 ERA over 14.1 postseason innings in three starts and earning his first playoff win since 2019 in ALCS Game 4 with 5? innings and two earned runs.

The “Can He Keep Going?” Question

Retirement has hovered over Scherzer since midway through 2025. He admitted that the idea “crossed my mind” during months when health issues kept him off the mound. But he insists he still loves competing and believes his body is holding up. His stuff may not have the same bite lately—velocity dips, increased hard-hit rates—but key metrics like his strikeout and walk rates, and strikeout-to-walk ratios, show enough wiggle room to make him meaningful for contenders. Scouts see him more as an October weapon now, someone who can still deliver high-leverage starts rather than handle a full 30-start grind.

Where He Fits in 2026: Role, Team & Money

Unlike many free agents scrambling in January, Scherzer has taken his time to decide. He made it known early that he was open to contracts that align with his health and competitive ambitions—even if it meant waiting past Opening Day for a clean fit. With a resume that includes three Cy Youngs, two World Series titles, over 220 wins, a 3.22 career ERA, and nearly 3,500 strikeouts, he’s still among the most decorated pitchers in MLB history. Teams with rotation gaps and playoff aspirations will see his veteran presence and October pedigree as valuable.

Financially, the market may reflect his age and injury history. Scherzer’s last contract with the Blue Jays for the 2025 season paid him $15.5 million for regular season, but he absorbed performance slumps and lengthy IL stints. A shorter deal, lower guaranteed money, and possible incentives could be what 2026 brings—if he signs at all.

Family, Fuel & the Personal Edge

Off the field, Scherzer’s life with wife Erica May and their four children—daughters Brooklyn (born 2017) and Kacey (2019), son Derek (2021), and daughter Nikki (2023)—offers a grounding influence. Erica’s support, visible both in the stands during pivotal games and on social media during milestones, has helped keep perspective sharp. Moments like their shared joy in Game 7, or the routine of family travel, suggest that part of what’s driving Scherzer is not just wins, but legacy and love.

Despite physical wear and frequent trips to the injured list over recent seasons, Scherzer continues to manage his body smartly. Interventions such as cortisone shots for thumb inflammation and periods of rest between starts have become part of his survival toolkit. He knows that at 41, each outing matters—not just in numbers, but in how he emerges from it.

So what’s next? A full season might no longer be realistic, but Mad Max still has a lot he wants to prove—and a lot left to give.

Key Stats

• Regular-season 2025: 17 starts, 5-5 record, 5.19 ERA, 82 strikeouts in 85 innings, 1.29 WHIP.
• Postseason (2025): 3 starts, 1-0 record, 3.77 ERA over 14.1 innings, 11 strikeouts.
• Career through 2025: 221-117 record, 3.22 ERA, 3,489 strikeouts in 2,963 innings.

The Verdict: Max Scherzer isn’t ready to call it quits—not when he can still lace up for October, mentor young teammates, and maybe chase one more title.