Detroit Tigers right-hander Max Scherzer injured his right ankle during his team's postseason celebration Monday night and will not make his scheduled start on Wednesday, reports Tom Gage of the Detroit News:
#Tigers Scherzer was hurt during on field celebration Mon night - twisted right ankle - won't pitch Wed
— Tom Gage (@Tom_Gage) October 2, 2012
Scherzer's ankle was reportedly stepped on by a fellow Tiger amidst the on-field dog pile formed following their division-clinching victory over the Kansas City Royals. The injury is not thought to be serious -- just a bit of swelling -- but it is enough to force Scherzer to miss his start Wednesday.
The 28-year-old right-hander had been nursing a strained deltoid muscle in his throwing shoulder over the past few weeks -- forcing him to miss two of his last three starts -- but Scherzer was reportedly good to go before his ankle was rolled Monday night. A Tuesday throwing session on flat ground resulted in no shoulder pain, but the ankle was still tender.
Scherzer is expected to return at some point during the ALDS, but the missed start makes his timeline unclear. Luis Marte will start in Scherzer's stead Wednesday for the Tigers' regular-season finale.