Rodríguez opened the season in the bullpen and allowed three runs in one inning on Opening Day. The Blue Jays would likely put him in the rotation to replace Scherzer rather than call up Bloss, who struggled badly in spring training (eight runs and three home runs in eight innings). Rodríguez had a 4.47 ERA in 21 starts last season.

Already dealing with a thumb injury that he said could “blow up fast” and “lead to a lot of other things,” the 40-year-old was placed on the 15-day injured list on Sunday with right thumb inflammation after he left his debut start with the Blue Jays on Saturday with right lat soreness.

The move comes one day after the three-time Cy Young Award winner left his debut start with Toronto after three innings because of right lat soreness.

Max Scherzer seemed to have an issue with his thumb, which prompted Blue Jays manager John Schneider to pull the three-time Cy Young Award winner from a game in the third inning.

Max Scherzer's debut with the Toronto Blue Jays was one to forget Saturday. The future Hall of Famer surrendered two solo home runs in three innings against the Baltimore Orioles before being removed with what the team called right lat soreness.

Scherzer was scratched from Game 6 of the 2021 NLDS with the Los Angeles Dodgers due to arm soreness, and he had surgery on a herniated disc after the 2023 campaign with the Texas Rangers. The former New York Mets starter also dealt with thumb and nerve issues at that time.