Max Scherzer's answer on MLB future may surprise baseball fans

With Clayton Kershaw retiring in 2025, and Justin Verlander making his final MLB start this weekend, Max Scherzer appears to be the last remaining ace from the 2010s still considering a future in baseball.

Scherzer, 42, hasn't had a very successful 2026 season, pitching to a 6.14 ERA over 17 starts for the Blue Jays, who have disappointed as the defending AL champions. However, he may not be quite ready to call it quits, either.

Based on the latest indications, Scherzer may just be back on the field in 2027, when he'd officially become the oldest pitcher in baseball.

Here's the latest on whether Scherzer will come back for another MLB season.

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Max Scherzer's latest on MLB future

On Wednesday, The Athletic released a story about Scherzer's competitiveness at age 42. Some of his former teammates in the story spoke to his mindset, with Patrick Corbin saying: "For a guy that has that resume, the career he’s had, I feel like you just go until you can’t anymore." Juan Soto, meanwhile, said he thinks Scherzer "wants to play forever."

As for the longtime star pitcher himself, while he declined to comment on his plans for a potential 20th season in 2027, he did share what his process has been in deciding whether or not to keep pitching.

“You can give me a ball in a playoff start, and I can go out there and compete for it,” Scherzer said, per The Athletic. “That’s my fundamental kind of litmus test of play or not play.”

Scherzer's history of competitive fire and intensity would make it no surprise if he decides to come back for an age-43 season, whether in Toronto or elsewhere. He has dealt with injuries as he's aged, though, and Scherzer has addressed the difficulty of being away from his family during seasons.

“The hardest part is being away from the kids,” Scherzer said, per The Athletic. “That’s the ultimate pull here, because my kids are getting to the age now, these are the really good years and it’s time to be a full-time dad. That is a significant challenge.”

Scherzer also reportedly mentioned the looming lockout as another factor in his upcoming decision.

Even with the Blue Jays out of postseason contention, Scherzer said Wednesday that he wants to pitch on Sunday in Toronto, according to Keegan Matheson. When asked about his 2027 future, Scherzer also said he'll "probably say something here in the next couple of days."

A decision on Scherzer's future appears to be coming soon. And while he hasn't been as effective this season, it also appears that returning for one more MLB season is, at least, under consideration from the three-time Cy Young Award winner.

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