"Sore in all the right spots," Scherzer will start Saturday

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Max Scherzer offered up a simple, yet important, takeaway from his first session throwing to live hitters this spring.

"I'm sore in all the right spots," he said.

For the uninitiated, there's no reason to be alarmed. Scherzer knows the difference between being "sore," being "hurt" and being "injured." Sore is good. Hurt is potentially worrisome. Injured is full-blown panic attack.

After a long and grueling season that saw him make a prolonged stint on the injured list for the first time in his career, Scherzer is keenly aware of all three physical sensations. What he felt last summer in his back and last October in his neck is not being felt now this spring.

The only thing the right-hander felt after today's 42-pitch live batting practice session was the kind of shoulder fatigue he expects and wants to feel after pushing himself like that for the first time in 2020.

"In spring training, you have to put yourself through some fatigue," he said. "That's good for you. That's when you know you're pushing the limit in how you're building up. This is honestly the most dangerous time of the year for pitchers. This is when you see a good amount of Tommy John (surgeries) across the league and everything. I'm always scared of that.

"I want to come into camp on a throwing program that's way ahead, so that I am pushing that fatigue and my arm stays fatigued and is able to recover. So as I'm increasing this, I'm not doing it from a dangerous position. For me, when I say fatigue, that's a good thing."

Scherzer threw two simulated "innings" during today's session: 20 pitches to Trea Turner, Adam Eaton and Starlin Castro in his first inning, then 22 pitches to Wilmer Difo, Brandon Snyder and Mac Williamson in his second inning.

Eaton managed to line a single to center at one point but also swung late and missed several fastballs. The others didn't fare any better, though at least one of them wasn't particularly excited when he found out who he had to face in his first attempt against a live pitcher this spring.

"I said: 'Really? First day? Come on, man,'" said Castro, who is a respectable 7-for-25 with a homer and three RBIs in his career vs. Scherzer.

Next up for Scherzer: A date with the Astros in Saturday night's Grapefruit League opener.

The 35-year-old certainly doesn't need to start a game on Feb. 22. He doesn't need to prove anything to his coaching staff or anyone else. No one would bat an eyelash if he elected to throw a couple innings on a back field against minor leaguers instead. Houston manager Dusty Baker told reporters "some young guys" will be taking the mound for his team.

But Scherzer is adamant. He wants to pitch the spring opener. He insists it's just about lining himself up for the rest of camp and for opening day. Others know the staff ace is subtly sending a message to everybody else on the roster.

"He gets here early for spring training, and he's always ready to go that first day," manager Davey Martinez said. "As we all talk about, he's so competitive. He likes to compete. And I really believe he really feels like that's part of his routine. The more he can get out and face hitters live, I think he feels better and he understands where his stuff is at."

Scherzer has dealt with nagging spring ailments before. Most notably, he had to alter his fastball grip in 2017 due to a slow-healing stress fracture in his knuckle. This year, there are no physical concerns.

"I've been in much worse spots and still made it," he said. "So it's good to be at this spot and feeling good."