Mets ace Max Scherzer eases panic after explaining why he left Saturday start early

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New York Mets fans can breathe a sigh of relief after hearing what ace Max Scherzer had to say following an abrupt ending to his start on Sunday at Citi Field. 

Scherzer left the Mets’ game against the Washington Nationals early due to "fatigue on his left side" after 67 pitches through five innings. But fans watching were likely in panic when Scherzer immediately called his outing complete and walked off the mound looking distraught. 

"Wasn’t anything specific, I don’t have any strains, it’s just left side was getting tired a lot quicker than usual," Scherzer said via The New York Post. "So this was a precautionary move, given the history of the oblique."

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Max Scherzer of the Mets pitches against the Washington Nationals at Citi Field on Sept. 3, 2022, in New York City. (Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

Scherzer was already on the shelf for seven weeks this season due to an oblique strain. It’s always a tricky soft tissue injury that can resurface despite a full recovery. 

So, as a precautionary move, Scherzer made the executive decision to call his night done. 

"Was there a scenario where I could go out there and pitch the sixth and be OK? Yeah, it could have happened," he explained. "But if I went out there in the sixth and got hurt, there’s no way I could come in here and look the guys in the face and say I made the right decision. Better to be safe than sorry in this scenario."

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Scherzer is a seasoned veteran who understands what’s at stake for his team. The Mets have a two-game lead in the NL East over