Toronto Blue Jays Daulton Varsho takes Max Scherzer deep during rehab, Mad Max on the verge of return

Scherzer threw three innings of a simulated game at Toronto's player development complex in Dunedin, Fla., on Sunday.

Scherzer threw all of his pitches and felt good, per Blue Jays manager John Schneider. Next step's a side session in a few days as if taking a normal rotation turn

He gave up a home run to rehabbing teammate Daulton Varsho, but according to manager John Schneider, all were pleased with the results.

He indicated that Scherzer would throw on the side later this week, still in Florida. After that, a rehab assignment could be imminent.

Will throw a side on normal day at PDC "and then we'll go from there."

Every team would welcome a pitcher of Scherzer's quality to their rotation, but Toronto's need might be greater than most.

Schneider has been filling the fifth slot with a variety of spot starts and bullpen games. But the Blue Jays aren't getting much out of another starter they were counting on to produce this year, Bowden Francis.

Francis was unable to complete five innings on Sunday for the seventh time in his last nine starts as the Twins beat the Blue Jays, 6-3, at Target Field.

This time, the biggest culprit was his control. Francis issued a career-high five walks in 3 1/3 innings - in other words, he walked five of the 19 batters he faced on the day.

Will Bowden Francis get demoted to Triple-A Buffalo when Max Scherzer makes his return?

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