The Toronto Blue Jays are opening up a three-game set in Seattle on Friday night and starting pitcher Max Scherzer is heading west with them.

As noted by Shi Davidi of Sportsnet, Scherzer, currently on the injured list with a back issue, will make a rehab start on Friday with High-A Vancouver and then rejoin the team in Seattle.

It's unclear what will come next for Scherzer, who is at a major career crossroads, and the Blue Jays are likely at a crossroads with him.

It's been a miserable season overall for the right-hander, who has been on the injured list multiple times and has struggled mightily when he's been healthy. He's 1-4 with a 10.23 ERA and has posted a WHIP of 1.727. 

Finally the Jays, beset by injuries all year, have at least four healthy starters from their Opening Day rotation.

Dylan Cease, Kevin Gausman, Trey Yesavage and Shane Bieber are all in the mix, meaning that the Blue Jays only have one true spot available.

They've already moved Patrick Corbin to the bullpen, so there is a theoretical spot for Scherzer, but can they afford to keep running him out there given his injury and performance issues?

Rule-5 pick Spencer Miles has served as the "bulk reliever" multiple times this season, going 4-1 with a 2.83 ERA in total. He probably doesn't have the innings ability right now to be a true fifth starter, but his performance has been significantly better than Scherzer's.

If not Miles, then the Blue Jays could look to acquire someone at the trade deadline, especially if they think they are still in the playoff race. There are also prospects that could be ready for looks in the second half of the season.

A 19-year veteran of the Detroit Tigers, Washington Nationals, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, Texas Rangers and Blue Jays, Scherzer is one of the best pitchers of the 2000s. He's gone 222-121 for his career with a 3.27 ERA, winning three Cy Young Awards and two World Series titles. He's an eight-time All-Star as well.

He became the 11th player in baseball history to record 3,500 career strikeouts earlier this season.

He's a future Hall of Famer and a good clubhouse presence. Do the Jays want to unceremoniously cut ties with him? That seems unlikely, meaning this is a difficult and complex situation for the front office.

Scherzer will take the ball in Vancouver and the Blue Jays will play in Seattle on Friday night. Cease will pitch for the Jays against veteran right-hander Luis Castillo. We've covered the full pitching matchups for the weekend here.

The Mariners are 45-43 and in a tie for first place in the American League West while the Jays are 41-46 and in third place in the American League East.

First pitch on Friday night is set for 10:10 p.m. ET.

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