Max Scherzer likely to miss Washington Nationals’ opener

FILE - In this Feb. 23, 2017, file photo, Washington Nationals' Max Scherzer poses for a photograph before a spring training baseball workout in West Palm Beach, Fla. The NL Cy Young Award winner will miss the Nationals’ opener against Miami on April 3 because of a stress fracture in his right ring finger. The stress fracture caused Scherzer to change the grip on his fastball, placing three fingers on top of the ball instead of two. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File) FILE - In this Feb. 23, 2017, file photo, Washington Nationals' Max Scherzer poses for a photograph before a spring training baseball workout in West Palm Beach, Fla. The NL Cy Young Award winner will miss the Nationals’ opener against Miami on April 3 because of a stress fracture in his right ring finger. The stress fracture caused Scherzer to change the grip on his fastball, placing three fingers on top of the ball instead of two. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)

By Associated Press March 16, 2017 1 min read

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) – NL Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer probably will miss the Washington Nationals’ opener against Miami on April 3 because of a stress fracture in his right ring finger.

The stress fracture caused Scherzer to change the grip on his fastball, placing three fingers on top of the ball instead of two.

Scherzer has thrown batting practice twice during spring training but has not appeared in a big league exhibition game. He was scheduled to pitch in a minor league exhibition Thursday.

Manager Dusty Baker says of Scherzer’s opening-day availability: “At this point, probably no.”

“Opening day I’m sure is important to him but not as important as the rest of the season,” the manager adds.