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Washington Nationals: Scherzer’s Ring Finger Injury Uncommon

By Ron Juckett

Oct 13, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) pitches during the first inning during game five of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 13, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) pitches during the first inning during game five of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Max Scherzer’s finger injury means more than simply missing the WBC for the Washington Nationals. Where does everyone go from here?

How did Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer develop a stress fracture in his right ring finger knuckle? Better yet, how did he pitch at such a high level with a broken finger?

When we think of pitching injuries, the shoulder, elbow and forearm come to mind. From torn rotator cuffs to Stephen Strasburg’s flexor mass strain, the repetitive and unnatural nature of pitching leads to a variety of aches and pains. This one is new.

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A stress fracture is a hairline crack in the bone. Depending on the location, there should be some swelling and pain. From Scherzer’s Tweet Monday, he felt nothing out of the ordinary during the season. No one is sure when or how the fracture occurred.

A check of his splits for the last two months of 2016 shows his monthly ERA increased from 1.32 in July to 3.05 in August and 3.29 in September. Opponent’s batting average dropped in August to .170 from .182. In September, they hit .248. Scherzer pitched extremely well under the circumstances.

Although his September numbers were higher than the rest of the year, he logged a National League-high 228.1 innings in 2016. Fatigue creeps in. For Scherzer, he pitched one less out than he did in 2015, a career high 228.2 frames.

Scherzer’s injury is found with rock climbers. As they twist and turn their way up sheer cliffs, they grab jagged surfaces as they establish keeping balance before moving forward. Your hands take a pounding doing that, even with good gloves or tape. As with pitchers, rotator cuff and elbow injuries are common in the sport.

Also, like pitchers, the amount of torque used to climb the target is immense. Overuse of joints and bones is real.

Why do we not hear more about this in baseball? Well, it is a question with no easy answer. For Scherzer, he could grip the baseball too hard during delivery or have the ball too high on that finger during release. This is an injury that comes from repetitive use.

Most who suffer from stress fractures are runners. Weight-bearing bones, such as the pair in the lower legs, need rest after overuse. Long distance runners can get them in their legs and feet. Rest is the best way to recuperate.

As it is with Scherzer’s injury. The right call is pulling him out of the World Baseball Classic and changing his focus for Opening Day against the Miami Marlins.

What is a concern now is how did it happen and will it be a lingering issue? Watching video with doctors may show how he did it but, there is no guarantee Scherzer will not re-injure that finger or cause permanent pain in his knuckle.

Next: Scherzer To Miss WBC

With depth an issue already, this is not how the Nats want to start 2017.

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