After more than a month on the injured list, Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Max Scherzer returned to the big leagues on Wednesday night, taking a loss against the Philadelphia Phillies.

The right-hander needed more than 80 pitches to get through 3.1 innings, surrendering five earned runs on five hits, three walks and four strikeouts.

While it was another tough outing for Scherzer, it should be noted that he reached some incredible baseball history, becoming just the 11th player to record 3,500 career strikeouts. Kyle Schwarber, his former teammate with the Washington Nationals, was the victim.

But with the history out of the way, there's a very real conversation to be had about the future of Scherzer in the team's starting rotation. 

At 1-4, he now has an ERA of 10.23. However, manager John Schneider isn't ready to have that conversation yet.

Because of all the injuries that the Blue Jays have endured this year, they currently have a healthy five-man rotation of Scherzer, Patrick Corbin, Dylan Cease, Trey Yesavage and Kevin Gausman.

Shane Bieber is still rehabbing from his "forearm fatigue" and is expected back in a few weeks, which will necessitate what to do with Scherzer's rotation spot.

Jake Bloss, the teams' No. 7 prospect, is also working back from an injury and could be an option later in the season. There's also the trade market that will develop this summer.

Well, he's a future Hall of Famer and with that comes a resume worthy of respect. He also has two World Series titles, so he brings playoff experience to the table for a team that wants to win the World Series this year. Finally, he has clubhouse respect from his teammates, many of whom played with him last year.

When Bieber is ready to come back, the team could keep Scherzer in the rotation and designate Corbin (2-3, 4.55 ERA) for assignment. Or, they could keep Scherzer and put Corbin in the bullpen, perhaps seeing him as an option against left-handers moving forward. Scherzer seems unlikely go to the bullpen.

The Blue Jays (33-36) will open up a big weekend series with the New York Yankees on Friday night at 7:37 p.m. ET. Ryan Weathers will start for New York while the Jays have not announced a starter at this time.

There's a chance that catcher Alejandro Kirk could be back from his rehab assignment by this weekend. He hasn't played since early April because of a broken left thumb.

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