Scherzer skipping start due to discomfort in right side (updated)

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Max Scherzer isn't starting today because of discomfort in his right side, a byproduct - he says - of mechanical changes he has made in the wake of last season's back and neck injuries, but one he insists won't affect his preparation for the rest of spring training or his projected opening day start in 16 days.

The Nationals had already announced minor league left-hander Ben Braymer as their starter for today's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins in Jupiter, with manager Davey Martinez saying this morning Scherzer was taking a designed break to limit his workload coming off a long postseason run last fall. Stephen Strasburg and Patrick Corbin did similar things a couple weeks ago.

Scherzer, though, met with reporters outside the clubhouse about 90 minutes later and revealed the side issue, which he referred to as "an ailment" around his right-side lat, serratus and oblique muscles. "Just that whole general area," he said.

Scherzer was adamant in insisting this is not an injury, none of the muscles are strained and there's no need for an MRI.

"There's nothing like that," he said. "This is purely just a fatigue, endurance thing."

The three-time Cy Young Award winner missed the better part of seven weeks last summer with a series of muscle strains in his upper- and mid-back, the first prolonged injured list stint of his storied career. He also had to be scratched from Game 5 of the World Series after his neck locked up, though he returned to start Game 7 three nights later and help pitch the Nationals to their first championship.

In dealing with those ailments last season, Scherzer had to alter his throwing mechanics. Once healthy again this winter, he reverted back to his original mechanics, which put more stress on his side. Because those muscles weren't used as much last season, they're still being built up as he throws all spring.

"Where I shifted the stress on to the side, that's where it's normally at (before last year's injury)," he said. "How I was going through my offseason program, just didn't build that up to the same degree, just the way I was throwing the ball. It's just an endurance thing."

Scherzer made his first four starts of the spring - one of those the rained-out Grapefruit League opener - without issue and was due to take the mound today against the Marlins. Instead, he played long toss, which he said actually was beneficial to his physical well-being.

"If you long toss, it really opens up everything," he said. "And if you're throwing it mechanically correct, then my side's getting more and more endurance. Like, I'm throwing the ball plenty far. Everything's firing on all cylinders. They just didn't want to be in a game today where (I'm) getting off the mound and just run into a situation. ... This is what they wanted to do. I thought I could make (the start), but I understand where they're coming from. We're probably both right."

Scherzer insisted he'll make his next scheduled start Sunday against the Mets. He would be in line for one more exhibition start (either March 20 against the Rays or March 21 against the Mets) before his projected opening day outing March 26 (also against the Mets).

Asked if his concern level right now is high, Scherzer replied: "No, absolutely not."

Martinez concurred when asked if this ailment might affect his ace's ability to pitch opening day.

"No, not at all," the manager said. "Honestly, he wanted to pitch yesterday. Then he fought us to throw today. We said no."

Scherzer also insisted he doesn't find himself being more cautious or aware of minor physical issues now after dealing with the first major physical issue of his career last season.

"Probably just the opposite," he said. "Even though that was a learning curve, I do know my body and kind of know where the line is of failure, of where your body does break down. I've dealt with plenty of other ailments with my body across the years, and know when you have to back off and know how you can still toe the mound and still pitch at a high level and maybe not get into it as much and kind of build endurance. So for me, going forward, I know my body well and know how to handle situations like this."