Three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer was left off the Toronto Blue Jays’ roster for their AL Division Series against the New York Yankees along with injured shortstop Bo Bichette and right-hander Chris Bassitt.

Scherzer was 1-3 with a 9.00 ERA in his last six starts, including a Sept. 7 loss to the Yankees as New York took advantage of the 41-year-old right-hander tipping pitches with his changeup .

An eight-time All-Star, Scherzer was 5-5 with a 5.19 ERA in 17 starts after agreeing to a $15.5 million, one-year contract . He didn’t pitch between March 29 and June 25 because of right thumb inflammation.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said it was tough to break the news to Scherzer and Bassitt.

“The conversations were hard, but they definitely understood,” Schneider said.

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