Scherzer scratched from Game 5, Ross to start for Nationals

WASHINGTON (AP) — Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer was scratched from his scheduled start in Game 5 of the World Series on Sunday night because of spasms near his neck and was replaced by Joe Ross.

Washington manager Dave Martinez made the announcement 3½ hours before the first pitch.

Gerrit Cole, who went 20-5 in the regular season, starts for Houston, with the Series tied 2-2.

Scherzer, who beat Cole in Tuesday's opener, felt the spasm near his neck and trapezius muscle on his right side Saturday.

"They treated it. He woke up today a lot worse," Martinez said.

Scherzer texted head athletic trainer Paul Lessard on Sunday "that he was really hurting," according to the manager.

"Max, obviously he pitched with a broken nose," Martinez said. "When he comes in and says he's hurt this bad, he's hurt."

Ross has pitched just once in the postseason, throwing 19 pitches over two scoreless innings in Washington's 4-1 loss in Game 3 on Friday night.

"He's got good stuff, and he got his feet wet the other night, so that'll help him," Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said. "To make an emergency start in Game 5 of the World Series against the Houston Astros, he'll have to control his emotions ... and just follow the game plan and see what happens."

The 26-year-old right-hander was 4-4 with a 5.48 ERA in 27 appearances, including 4-2 with a 3.02 ERA in nine starts.

Before Friday he last pitched Sept. 29, starting against Cleveland on the last day of the regular season and getting the win by allowing one run and four hits in six innings while throwing 78 pitches.

"We're going to let him go as much as he can go," Martinez said.

Game 6 starter Stephen Strasburg threw a bullpen session on Saturday and was not an option to start on three days' rest.

"I think everybody is dealing...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Scherzer-scratched-from-Game-5-Ross-to-start-for-14566463.php