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Thumbs up: Max Scherzer set to make Jays debut vs. Orioles

MLB: Spring Training-Philadelphia Phillies at Toronto Blue JaysMar 2, 2025; Dunedin, Florida, USA; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Max Scherzer (31) throws a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies in the second inning during spring training at TD Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Toronto’s Max Scherzer was given the thumbs up to start Saturday afternoon against the visiting Baltimore Orioles. Now the Blue Jays hope his thumb holds up.

Scherzer’s thumb was an issue during spring training, but it passed the test against the Minnesota Twins last Saturday at Fort Myers, Fla.

The three-time Cy Young Award winner was deemed fit enough to start Saturday in the third contest of a four-game set against the American League East-rival Orioles.

The teams have split the first two games, with Baltimore winning 12-2 on Thursday and Toronto recording an 8-2 decision on Friday.

Signed to a one-year, $15.5 million contract in February, Scherzer, a right-hander, was limited to nine starts with the Texas Rangers in 2024 because of various ailments. He was 2-4 with a 3.95 ERA.

But he was sharp in Toronto’s 2-1 spring training win over Minnesota. He struck out four in four scoreless innings.

The thumb remains a concern, however.

“It’s a little thing that’s a big thing,” said Scherzer, 40. “I’m not going to lie, it’s frustrating. Because I know I can pitch at this level. I know I can still pitch at a very high level as well. I know I have the pitches that I can execute and I can locate. But right now, it’s a thumb issue, and I’m going to be battling it until I’m fully built up.”

Scherzer made 62 pitches against Minnesota and is expected to be ready to reach 75-80 on Saturday. And then he will wait until Sunday to see the effect on his thumb.

“When I’m out there, it heats up and it goes away and I’m fine,” Scherzer said. “It’s kind of like tendinitis in a way. Once it gets hot. … then I don’t feel it and I can pitch the way I’ve always pitched. I’m not worried about my stuff; I’m worried about how I recover — because this can blow up fast and lead to a lot of other things.”

Scherzer had problems with the Orioles last season, going 0-2 with a 7.36 ERA against them in two starts. He is 7-4 with a 3.46 ERA in 16 career starts against Baltimore.

Dean Kremer, who went 8-10 with a 4.10 ERA last season, will start for Baltimore on Saturday. The right-hander was 0-1 with a 10.38 ERA in one start vs. the Blue Jays in 2024 and is 3-4 with a 4.82 ERA in 11 career outings (10 starts) against them.

Neither team has used its closer because the first two games were blowouts.

Toronto’s Jeff Hoffman, signed as a free agent in the offseason, warmed up Friday but was not needed.

The return of Baltimore closer Felix Bautista from elbow surgery means manager Brandon Hyde will use him carefully, particularly in the first half of the season.

The manager said Bautista will be restricted to one inning and will not be used on back-to-back days. And if he warms up, Hyde would like to use him and not sit him if the game situation changes.

“When I get him up, I’d love to be able to get him in the game,” Hyde said. “A lot of times, closers or high-leverage guys, that’s not the case. … I’m just trying to handle Felix as well as I possibly can.”

“That’s the plan we discussed, to find a way to have me stay ready and stay healthy throughout the entire season,” Bautista said. “Have that continue going through the playoffs, hopefully.”

–Field Level Media

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Phillies snap 10-game skid with extra-inning defeat of Braves

MLB: Philadelphia Phillies at Atlanta BravesApr 25, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Adolis Garcia (53) runs to third on an RBI triple against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Bryce Harper’s bases-loaded single in the 10th inning drove in two runs and sparked the visiting Philadelphia Phillies to an 8-5 win over the Atlanta Braves on Saturday to end their 10-game losing streak.

After Tyler Kinley (3-1) started the inning with a walk and left-hander Jose Suarez walked the first batter he faced, Harper, who was 2-for-3 with four RBIs, lined a sinker into left to drive in automatic runner Garrett Stubbs and Trea Turner. Brandon Marsh followed with a two-run single to widen the lead and help the Phillies win their first game since April 13.

Brady Keller (1-0) retired all four batters he faced, and Kyle Backhus pitched the 10th, allowing one run on two hits.

Philadelphia right-hander Zack Wheeler made his first appearance since August 15 of last year after missing time due to undergoing surgery to treat thoracic outlet syndrome. He pitched five innings and allowed two runs on three hits and three walks, striking out six. He left after throwing 84 pitches.

Atlanta right-hander Bryce Elder pitched seven innings, matching his season high, and allowed three runs on six hits and one walk, striking out two.

The Phillies scored a run in the first inning when Harper walked with two outs and scored when Adolis Garcia lined a ball to left field that Mike Yastrzemski missed on a dive for an RBI triple.

Philadelphia scored another run in the fourth inning when Bryson Stott smacked a triple off the right-field brick wall to score Brandon Marsh.

Atlanta tied the score at 2-2 in the bottom of the fourth. Michael Harris II hit a bases-loaded sacrifice fly and Austin Riley followed with an RBI double, knocking in the 500th run of his career.

The Phillies regained the lead in the fifth. Rafael Marchan singled and came around to score on Harper’s infield single which snapped Philadelphia’s 0-for-18 drought with runners in scoring position against the Braves this season.

The Braves took their first lead in the sixth, scoring twice against reliever Tanner Banks on an RBI double from Ozzie Albies and a run-scoring single from Harris.

The Phillies evened the game 4-4 in the eighth against Dylan Lee. Kyle Schwarber tripled when center fielder Eli White slipped on the wet turf and allowed the ball to get past him. He scored on Harper’s sacrifice fly.

–Field Level Media

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Timberwolves' Donte DiVincenzo (leg), Anthony Edwards (knee) exit early in win over Nuggets

NBA: Playoffs-Minnesota Timberwolves at Denver NuggetsApr 18, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo (0) celebrates after a three-pointer during the second half against the Denver Nuggets in game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo was ruled out after injuring his lower right leg in the first quarter and was late joined on the sidelines by injured teammate Anthony Edwards in the first half of Saturday’s 112-96 victory over the Denver Nuggets in Game 4 of their playoff series in Minneapolis.

DiVincenzo sustained the injury on a non-contact play 79 seconds into the game. He planted his foot to go toward a loose ball, and he quickly went down as he grabbed toward the back of his right leg.

The team ruled out DiVincenzo before the end of the first quarter. ESPN reported that DiVincenzo, who left the arena at halftime in a wheelchair, hasa torn right Achilles.

Edwards, a four-time All-Star, appeared to hyperextend his left knee while leaping to defend Nuggets wing Cam Johnson’s drive to the basket with 2:43 remaining in the second quarter. He landed awkwardly and grabbed his left knee. Edwards was helped to the locker room.

Minnesota ruled him out for the rest of the game just after halftime. Edwards, who had five points and three rebounds in 18 minutes, is slated to get an MRI to determine the injury’s severity.

The Timberwolves lead the best-of-seven series 3-1, with Game 5 on Monday in Denver.

DiVincenzo averaged 12.2 points per game and shot 37.9% from 3-point range during the regular season. He averaged 14.3 points in the first three games of the playoff series against the Nuggets.

-Field Level Media

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T-wolves beat Nuggets, lose Anthony Edwards, Donte DiVincenzo to injuries

NBA: Denver Nuggets at Minnesota TimberwolvesApr 25, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun (0) defends against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu (13) in the first quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

Ayo Dosunmu came off the bench to score a career-high 43 points on 13-for-17 shooting, and the short-handed Minnesota Timberwolves pulled away for a 112-96 win over the Denver Nuggets in Game 4 of their Western Conference quarterfinals series on Saturday night in Minneapolis.

The victory, which gave Minnesota a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series, came at a cost to the Timberwolves, who lost two starters due to injury.

Anthony Edwards, a four-time All-Star and the team’s top scorer, left in the second quarter and did not return because of a left knee injury. Edwards leaped to try to block a shot and landed awkwardly on his left leg, and he quickly dropped to the court and clutched his knee.

Team officials helped Edwards to his feet and he placed his arms around their shoulders. He put little weight on his left leg as he hobbled toward the locker room.

Earlier in the first half, Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo headed toward the locker room after he injured his right leg on a non-contact play. DiVincenzo planted his foot to pursue a loose ball and fell to the hardwood, and he grabbed the back of his right leg in pain.

Early reports indicated that DiVincenzo might have ruptured his Achilles tendon on the play.

Naz Reid added 17 points off the bench for Minnesota. Julius Randle finished with 15 points and nine rebounds, and Rudy Gobert grabbed a game-high-tying 15 rebounds to go along with four points.

Jamal Murray scored 30 points on 10-for-25 shooting to lead Denver. Nikola Jokic finished with 24 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists. However, he shot 8-for-22 from the field and missed all three of his 3-point attempts.

The series returns to Denver for Game 5 on Monday night.

Dosunmu took over in his teammates’ absence. He helped Minnesota outscore Denver 62-42 in the second half to take a commanding lead in the series.

The Nuggets led 76-74 late in the third quarter before Dosunmu helped Minnesota take charge. He made a pair of free throws as Minnesota finished the quarter on an 8-2 run to grab an 82-78 lead.

In the fourth quarter, Dosunmu continued to assert himself. He hit a driving layup and a pull-up bank shot to increase the Timberwolves’ lead to 95-82 with 7:53 to go.

Denver struggled to keep pace the rest of the way, and Jokic took exception to a layup by Jaden McDaniels with 2.1 seconds left. Jokic and Randle were ejected in the closing seconds after players from both teams shoved one another near the sidelines.

–Field Level Media

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