Update, 9:10 p.m. ET: Scherzer was charged with five earned runs over 3.1 innings. His ERA is now 10.23. 

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Max Scherzer has had a very difficult season, but none of that mattered on Wednesday, as he entered the record books in the top of the first inning of a game against the Philadelphia Phillies.

After missing more than a month with a forearm injury, and despite posting an ERA of 9.64 before the injury, Scherzer struck out All-Star Kyle Schwarber in the first inning, with Schwarber becoming the 3,500th strikeout of Scherzer's career.

Scherzer is now the 11th player in baseball history with 3,500 strikeouts or more, joining an illustrious list that includes Nolan Ryan, Randy Johnson, Roger Clemens, Steve Carlton, Bert Blyleven, Tom Seaver, Don Sutton, Justin Verlander, Gaylord Perry and Walter Johnson.

With the history piece now behind him, Scherzer can get to work on helping stabilize a Blue Jays rotation that is finally getting healthy.

Cody Ponce, Bowden Francis and Jose Berrios are all out for the season, with Scherzer and Dylan Cease returned this week to pair with Trey Yesavage, Patrick Corbin and Kevin Gausman and finally giving the Jays five healthy starters. Shane Bieber is scheduled to make another Triple-A rehab assignment this week and is going to return as well.

Scherzer, who was signed this offseason to a one-year deal, is a surefire Hall of Fame pitcher when his career is over. A multi-time Cy Young winner, he's also won two World Series titles (Nationals, 2019 and Rangers, 2023).

In addition to helping stabilize the rotation, he needs to pitch well if he wants to keep his roster spot too. With his experience and clubhouse presence, the Jays surely want to keep him around, but when Bieber comes back, it could come down to a battle of Scherzer vs. Corbin for the final rotation spot. Simeon Woods-Richardson is also an option, though he's currently pitching in the bullpen.

The Blue Jays entered play on Wednesday at 33-35 and tied for the third and final wild card spot in the American League. After the series with the Phillies ends, they'll welcome the division rival Yankees to town for a weekend series.

We'll have this story updated with what Scherzer had to say about the accomplishment after the game concludes.

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