Apparently Max Scherzer is a very quick healer. A day after being scratched from his final regular season start due to a twisted ankle, the Detroit Tigers announced Scherzer would pitch against the Kansas City Royals in the season finale.
Scherzer's will he pitch-won't he pitch status has turned into a daily soap opera. Scherzer has been rehabbing a deltoid strain in his pitching shoulder, missing his last start. After working out on Monday, stretching out his now rested shoulder in an outfield throwing session, Scherzer was deemed good to go for his final start.
Yesterday, the plan changed. Jim Leyland declared Scherzer out due to twisting his ankle during the on-field division clinching celebration and would use a 'pitcher by committee' with bullpen arms to get through game 162.
Today, the plan changed again. Scherzer is a go and will take the mound in what should be a fairly short post-season tune-up.
I have to believe the Tigers don't want Scherzer to make his first start in 2+ weeks in a playoff game. If so, it makes sense to have him make a limited pitch count appearance tonight, if only to shake off the rust.