Scherzer likely out of Nats’ opener

west palm beach, fla.» NL Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer probably will miss the Washington Nationals’ opener against Miami on April 3 because of a stress fracture in his right ring finger.

The stress fracture had caused Scherzer to change the grip on his fastball, placing three fingers on top of the ball instead of two, but he went back to his old grip Thursday during his first game action this year, a threeinning stint in a minor-league exhibition against New York Mets’ Triple-A players.

“That’s the really good news today,” said Scherzer, who struck out five. “It’s good to be back to the normal grip. From here on out, I’ll be obviously progressing that way.”

Pitching coach Mike Maddux said Scherzer will start for the Nationals on Wednesday against St. Louis.

“We’ll take the training wheels off,” Maddux said.

Scherzer he will get three more starts before season and said he expects to break camp with the team.

“I should be progressing at a pretty good clip now to allow myself to be able to find a way to start the regular season,” Scherzer said.

A 32-year-old right-hander, Scherzer was 20-7 last season.

Manager Dusty Baker said of Scherzer’s opening-day availability: “At this point, probably no. Opening day I’m sure is important to him but not as important as the rest of the season. I’m sure he’s not thinking DL. We’re not thinking DL until that time gets here. If that time gets here, we’ll make alternative plans.”