After simulated game, Scherzer to move to four-day plan

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Max Scherzer won't have to wait another five days to see how the fractured knuckle on his right ring finger reacts to the stress of pitching in game conditions. Next time out, it'll only be a four-day wait.

Scherzer threw 38 pitches during a simulated game this morning and came out of the activity with no apparent problems, said Nationals pitching coach Mike Maddux.

"I thought Max looked really good," Maddux said. "He threw all four pitches for strikes. He had velocity and finish on the ball. No hold-back."

However, Scherzer will be evaluated over the next couple of days to make sure he's fit before that schedule is written down in pen.

As he has in bullpen sessions, while long-tossing and when he threw live batting practice on Tuesday, Scherzer again utilized a three-fingered grip on his fastball to protect the injured knuckle.

Scherzer's next hurdle will come Thursday, Maddux said, when he will be stretched out to three innings in a minor league game against another team's prospects.

"Throw on a four-day swing instead of five this time through," Maddux said. "He was thrifty with his pitches. What'd he throw, 28? We'll be able to safely bring him back in four days with no bullpen in between. He'll be good to go and get him on schedule."

Minor league games begin March 16 and the Nationals can control the environment, Maddux pointed out.

If Scherzer were to pitch in a minor league game on March 16, Maddux's four-day schedule would give the Nationals two weeks to get him into Grapefruit League games and stretch him out. Plus, there would be two exhibition games against the Red Sox- at Nationals Park on March 31 and at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis on April 1

But it's no guarantee that Scherzer could log enough innings to build up his arm strength and still pitch on opening day against the Marlins.