Toronto Blue Jays veteran Max Scherzer has long been known as one of baseball’s fiercest competitors, but his reputation as a mentor may have quietly helped lead to one of the biggest pitching extensions of the offseason.
Mar 7, 2026; Clearwater, Florida, USA; Toronto Blue Jays staring pitcher Max Scherzer (31) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at BayCare Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
According to a report from The Philadelphia Inquirer, Scherzer’s offseason mentorship of Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Jesús Luzardo may have played a key role in the breakout season that ultimately led to Luzardo signing a five-year, $135 million extension with Philadelphia.
A mentorship that began in the gym
Although Scherzer and Luzardo have never been teammates, the two pitchers developed a close relationship during the 2024–25 offseason while training at Cressey Sports Performance in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
The two reportedly worked out at the facility almost daily, where Scherzer would regularly quiz Luzardo about his pitching strategies and game plans — particularly against teams in the National League East.
Instead of treating the conversations casually, Luzardo absorbed the advice and applied it throughout the season.
And the results spoke for themselves.
Luzardo’s breakout season
During the 2025 season, Luzardo delivered one of the best performances of his career:
- 3.92 ERA
- 216 strikeouts
- 183.2 innings pitched
- 3.9 bWAR
Opposing hitters batted just .240 against him, while his advanced metrics were even more impressive.
His Baseball Savant profile showed elite underlying numbers, including:
- 80th percentile expected ERA (xERA)
- 86th percentile strikeout rate (K%)
- Below-average opponent contact quality with an 87.9 mph average exit velocity and 37.4% hard-hit rate.
Those numbers convinced the Phillies to secure Luzardo’s future with the franchise before he could reach free agency.
The new contract will keep the 28-year-old left-hander in Philadelphia through the 2031 season, making him one of the highest-paid left-handed starters in the game.
Scherzer’s influence goes beyond Toronto
For the Blue Jays, Scherzer’s influence on Luzardo highlights one of the biggest reasons the organization values the veteran so highly.
During the 2025 season, Scherzer became one of Toronto’s most respected clubhouse leaders. His leadership extended beyond mentoring teammates — even influencing major in-game decisions.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider famously consulted Scherzer during Game 7 of the World Series, trusting the future Hall of Famer’s experience in a crucial moment.
But Scherzer’s mentorship clearly extends beyond his own team.
Eric Cressy, owner of the training facility where both pitchers work out, explained why the relationship developed so naturally.
“Max likes to teach, especially for someone who wants to be great and asks the right questions,” Cressy said. “That’s where he and Jesús really hit it off.”
Why Scherzer returned for 2026
At 41 years old, Scherzer easily could have retired after the 2025 season.
Instead, the three-time Cy Young Award winner chose to return for another season with Toronto — motivated not only by his pursuit of another championship but also by his passion for mentoring younger pitchers.
That mentorship could be especially valuable for a Blue Jays pitching staff that includes:
- Kevin Gausman
- Dylan Cease
- José Berríos
- Trey Yesavage
- Eric Lauer
- Cody Ponce
- Shane Bieber (expected to join later)
If Scherzer’s guidance helped Luzardo turn a strong season into a nine-figure contract, it’s clear why Toronto continues to value the veteran’s presence — both on the mound and in the clubhouse.
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