Rays vs Blue Jays: Todays Starting Lineup - Game Preview

Blue Jays' Bowden Francis will take the mound today versus Rays starter Taj Bradley in Grapefruit league action. First pitch 1:07 PM ET.

Yariel Rodriguez will follow Francis today. Rodriguez temporarily replaced Max Scherzer in the spring rotation the last couple of outings.

Scherzer was scheduled to start last Thursday and today but is unable to take the mound due to his thumb being sore.

Scherzer noted that the issue typically flares up when he throws around 50 pitches.

He also previously noted that while an MRI did show inflammation in his thumb joint, there was no structural damage.

Rodriguez could begin the season in the rotation if Max Scherzer (thumb) isn't ready to make his first start, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

The Blue Jays will need a fifth starter March 31, giving Scherzer little time to recover and get fully stretched out. Rodriguez has worked 9.2 innings in Grapefruit League action this spring, striking out 11 batters but also walking seven and serving up four homers.

If Toronto decides he's better suited for a long-relief role, or Scherzer's thumb issue is deemed to be minor and he's only expected to miss one or two turns through the rotation, Jake Bloss or Eric Lauer might be called upon instead.

With just over a week until Opening Day, the Blue Jays' star off-season acquisition is a bit frustrated.

Scherzer commented on the nagging injury on Tuesday, saying, "It's day-to-day. It's really stupid, that's what it is," per the Toronto Sun's Rob Longley.

Rodriguez could begin the season in the rotation if Max Scherzer (thumb) isn't ready to make his first start, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

The Blue Jays will need a fifth starter March 31, giving Scherzer little time to recover and get fully stretched out.

Rodriguez has worked 9.2 innings in Grapefruit League action this spring, striking out 11 batters but also walking seven and serving up four homers.

If Toronto decides he's better suited for a long-relief role, or Scherzer's thumb issue is deemed to be minor and he's only expected to miss one or two turns through the rotation, Jake Bloss or Eric Lauer might be called upon instead.