Scherzer completed a simulated game on Sunday without any issues and will throw another bullpen session this week before making his first rehab start. The 40-year-old future Hall of Famer is likely to require at least one additional tune-up outings before he’s ready to return to Toronto’s rotation mix, according to manager John Schneider. He’s been on the shelf since late March recovering from a lingering thumb issue. Barring any setbacks, he should be ready by the end of June.

Daulton Varsho was one of the hitters that took swings against him on Sunday and wound up tagging him for a home run. He will throw his normal side session in a couple of days and depending on how he feels from there the Jays will make a decision on whether or not he’ll require a minor league rehab start or if he’ll be cleared to return to the Blue Jays’ rotation.

The Blue Jays feel like Scherzer is making tangible strides in his recovery and that he could progress through the rehab stage quickly if things go well with his outing on Sunday. You’d think that he would make at least one extended minor league rehab start before joining the Blue Jays’ rotation, so even in the best-case scenario he’s still probably two weeks away.

MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson adds that Scherzer is on track to pitch in game action later this week either in a simulated contest or a Rookie-level Florida Complex League game before progressing to facing higher-level competition. Barring any setbacks, it’s theoretically possible Scherzer could make it back to Toronto’s rotation before the end of June.