WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Max Scherzer threw a live batting practice session on Tuesday afternoon, the first time he has faced hitters this spring. He simulated game action as best he could: going through his warmup routine, moving toward first base on a ground ball to his left and taking a break between his two sessions to simulate the Nationals' half-inning at the plate.
Scherzer, who is still feeling the effects from a stress fracture in the lower knuckle of his right ring finger, completed the 44-pitch session using his modified fastball grip, placing three fingers on the ball instead of the usual two.