The Toronto Blue Jays were once again forced to turn to their bullpen early in Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Twins.

Blue Jays starter Max Scherzer was chased in the third inning by the Twins after allowing five hits and six runs, leaving with two runners on. He was replaced by reliever Joe Mantiply, who surrendered a two-run double, scoring both inherited runners.

Scherzer’s final line showed 2.1 innings of work, five hits, eight earned runs, two homers against, two walks and three strikeouts.

He tossed 68 pitches — 41 strikes — in the outing.

It marked the second straight short start for the 41-year-old, who exited after just two innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 6 due to forearm tendinitis.

The eight runs allowed on Sunday pushed Scherzer’s ERA to 9.58 on the season.

Scherzer returned to the Blue Jays over the off-season on a one-year, $3 million deal, which included incentives for innings pitched. In 2025, the three-time Cy Young winner posted a 5.19 ERA over 17 starts and 85.0 regular-season innings.