Max Scherzer Organizing Players-Only Pre-Spring Training Match

Major league players are itching to get back on the field, despite the current lockout due to the slow-moving collective bargaining talks. In fact, MLBPA rep and self-anointed leader of the players, Max Scherzer, is organizing a March 1st unofficial spring opener of sorts, which is expected to feature a number of high-profile major leaguers. 

As reported in the New York Post, the game is set to take place at the Cressey Sports Performance facility in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The Mets' new $130M man is putting it all together, what Paul DeJong of the St. Louis Cardinals calls “A little backyard baseball to get the blood flowing.”

#PostSportsPlus: Paul DeJong’s life in baseball limbo may feature a backyard Max Scherzer all-star game https://t.co/8lVvluk3cQ pic.twitter.com/rZurg9R9Ik

— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) February 20, 2022

Major league veterans are hoping to be in shape for when real spring training begins, but are currently forbidden from stepping foot on team properties across spring training sites in Florida and Arizona (though those on minor league contracts can work out at team facilities). 

Other big leaguers who are currently working out at the high-performance academy include pitchers Justin Verlander of the Astros and Michael Wacha of the Red Sox.

As noted in the Post by Ken Davidoff, this ad-hoc game "may have so many major leaguers in attendance you could probably charge admission."

More details of the glorified pick-up game will likely leak out in the week ahead.