Max Scherzer has come to grips with a finger injury - by coming up with a new, unusual grip for his fastball.
The Washington Nationals ace won the NL Cy Young Award last season despite a stress fracture on his right ring finger in the second half. The problem didn't totally heal during the winter, so Scherzer is trying something different this spring.
''It is strange that I am throwing with three fingers,'' Scherzer said.
Sure is.
His normal fastball grip - the one used by nearly every pitcher in the pros - employs two fingers on top of the ball with the ring finger bent along the side, providing stability in the hand.