Scherzer getting hand on new grip

Max Scherzer has come to grips with a finger injury — by coming up with a new, unusual grip for his fastball.

The Washington Nationals ace won the NL Cy Young Award last season despite a stress fracture on his right ring finger in the second half. The problem didn’t totally heal during the winter, so Scherzer is trying something different this spring.

“It is strange that I am throwing with three fingers,” Scherzer said. Sure is. His normal fastball grip — the one used by nearly every pitcher in the pros — employs two fingers on top of the ball with the ring finger bent along the side, providing stability in the hand.

That formation aggravates Scherzer’s injury by pressing the ball onto the knuckle. Earlier this spring, he straightened the ring finger, placing it on top of the ball along with his middle and index finger, a grip that alleviates the pressure and pain.

“What else am I going to do?” Scherzer said. “I’m willing to do it. I want to do it. It’s just part of what I’ve got to go out there and do — to pitch right now.”

On Tuesday, Scherzer faced live hitters for the first time this spring, throwing a live batting practice session to minor league hitters on one of the complex’s back fields prior to the Nationals’ game against Boston.

With manager Dusty Baker and general manager Mike Rizzo looking on, Scherzer worked from both the windup and the stretch, simulating two innings of action. He threw 44 pitches during the outing, the majority of which were fastballs.

The Nationals didn’t have a radar gun present, but Scherzer said he didn’t sense a drop in velocity with the three-fingered grip. He said it seemed to him the ball had the same spin as it normally did with a two-finger grip.

The 32-year-old Scherzer went 20-7 last season with a 2.96 ERA and a major league-leading 284 strikeouts. He also won the 2013 AL Cy Young with Detroit.

Phillies 11, Tigers 6

Tigers starter Justin Verlander gave up one earned run on four hits and two walks in three innings. Andrew Romine had three hits.

Brock Stassi hit his third home run this spring, a grand slam. Phillies starter Aaron Nola went two innings and allowed two earned runs on five hits and a walk.

Canada 7, Blue Jays 1

Former ace closer Eric Gagne worked around a hit and walk in one scoreless inning for Team Canada during a tuneup for the World Baseball Classic. At 41, he hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2008. His fastball consistently hit 93 mph, and Gagne is hoping a solid performance in the tournament could spur a comeback in the big leagues.

Orioles 5, Dominican Republic 4

Baltimore star Manny Machado was hitless while playing third base for the Dominican Republic team. The Orioles scored twice against Dellin Betances, who walked two and gave up a hit.