Scherzer dealing in pain

National League Cy Young Award winner Max

Scherzer is dealing with pain from a broken knuckle on his pitching hand that arose late last year, and Washington Nationals manager Dusty Baker says the team is making plans in case his ace isn’t ready for Opening Day.

Scherzer said yesterday at spring training in West Palm Beach, Fla., that he began throwing this week with a modified grip. He says the injury to the bottom knuckle on his ring finger is “essentially healed,” but bothers him when he throws. Scherzer wouldn’t give a timetable for when he would be ready.

Baker says he wouldn’t want to rush Scherzer, “because you’re thinking about the long haul.” Washington’s opener is April 3.

• Chris Carter, who tied for the NL lead in home runs last season, finalized a $3.5 million, one-year contract with the New York Yankees. A first baseman, the 30-year-old Carter is likely to see time at designated hitter. Carter’s career41 home runs last season matched Colorado’s

Nolan Arenado. He became a free agent in December when Milwaukee failed to offer a 2017 contract.

• Mat Latos agreed to a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. The 29-year-old right-hander went 6-2 with a 4.62 ERA in 11 starts for the Chicago White Sox last year, was released, then was 1-1 with a 6.52 ERA in one start and five relief appearances for Washington.

• Reliever Tony Watson lost to the Pittsburgh Pirates in salary arbitration and will make $5.6 million this year rather than $6 million. Watson had a 3.06 ERA in 70 relief appearances last year along with a 2-5 record. Teams have now won seven of 13 cases.