Scherzer to return Thursday in finale vs. Rox

WASHINGTON -- Max Scherzer is scheduled to return from the injured list to start Thursday’s series finale against the Rockies, Nats manager Dave Martinez announced Tuesday. A day after throwing a bullpen session where he said he felt 100 percent, Scherzer played catch again Tuesday without issue.

With both Scherzer and the Nationals confident that the injury -- known as scapulothoracic bursitis, or inflammation in the bursa under his right shoulder -- is behind him, they began looking at the schedule to see whether it made more sense for the righty to rejoin the rotation on Thursday vs. Colorado or Friday for the series opener against the Dodgers.

By starting Thursday, Scherzer would be in line to start again Tuesday for a crucial game against the National League East-leading Braves at Nationals Park, and if the rotation remains on schedule, he would be lined up to pitch in every pivotal series down the stretch in September, especially those against the Phillies and Braves.

Martinez said he even mapped out each start to make sure it would keep Scherzer in line to start a potential NL Wild Card Game.

“You know Max,” Martinez said. “He wants to pitch today. He wants to pitch tomorrow. He wants to pitch Friday, Saturday, Sunday. So Thursday’s his day.”

Scherzer has started to get antsy since the injury forced him to the sidelines on July 13, especially considering he thought he would not have to miss a start. He wound up missing two turns through the rotation, derailing what had been perhaps the best stretch of his career and one of the most dominant by any pitcher in recent history -- 7-0 with a 0.84 ERA and a 94-to-9 strikeout-to-walk ratio in his last nine starts, while holding opponents to a .476 OPS.

Worth noting

• Austin Voth, who went on the injured list this weekend with right biceps tendinitis, attempted to play catch on Monday, but felt some discomfort before getting shutdown. He is scheduled to receive an MRI this week.