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Max Scherzer climbs to 9th in MLB all-time strikeouts

Updated 4 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-08-25 15:43 UTC → 2026-08-31 06:11 UTC · added removed

Max Scherzer reaches 10th all-time climbs to 9th in MLB all-time strikeouts

Veteran right-hander Max Scherzer returned to the Toronto Blue Jays’ rotation on his 42nd birthday, facing his former club, the Washington Nationals. The start followed a month on the injured list for back spasms and thumb inflammation that required multiple cortisone injections. After a five-inning, hitless rehab outing in Triple-A Buffalo, Scherzer delivered a limited 2⅔-inning performance against the Nationals, striking out four batters. This appearance brought his career strikeout total to 3,507, placing him just three strikeouts shy of Hall of Famer Walter Johnson’s 3,515 total for the top-10 all-time list. On August 8, 2026, during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Scherzer officially reached the milestone. By striking out Kyle Schwarber in the sixth inning, he recorded his 3,516th career strikeout, surpassing Walter Johnson to take sole possession of 10th place on the MLB all-time strikeout leaderboard. During the outing, the 42-year-old recorded four strikeouts over five innings, though he surrendered consecutive home runs to Trea Turner and Bryce Harper. Scherzer’s recent performance has since faced significant challenges. Following challenges, including a start where he allowed seven runs in four innings against the Tampa Bay Rays, he has struggled with high contact 7.40 ERA and home runs. He has allowed 12 home runs in 45 innings, resulting in a career-worst 2.40 HR/9 rate and a 7.40 ERA. His recent statistical decline includes a -0.5 fWAR, rate. However, he showed signs of resurgence on August 30, 2026, during a notable drop from his historically positive career marks. game against the Seattle Mariners. Scherzer currently ranks second among active pitchers pitched seven shutout innings in a 7-0 victory, recording 10 strikeouts to reach 3,535 career strikeouts, strikeouts. This performance moved him into sole possession of ninth place on the all-time list, trailing only Justin Verlander. His career honors include three Cy Young Awards, eight All-Star selections, and two World Series titles. Verlander for eighth. Blue Jays manager John Schneider described the outing as a ‘time machine’ start following his recent struggles.

Versions

  1. 2026-08-31 06:11 UTC Max Scherzer climbs to 9th in MLB all-time strikeouts
  2. 2026-08-25 15:43 UTC Max Scherzer reaches 10th all-time in MLB strikeouts
  3. 2026-08-09 16:16 UTC Max Scherzer reaches 10th all-time in MLB strikeouts
  4. 2026-08-08 18:46 UTC Max Scherzer career strikeout pursuit
  5. 2026-07-28 22:30 UTC Max Scherzer career strikeout pursuit

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