Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer is set to start Game 7 of the World Series, just three days after he was scratched from his Game 5 start because of neck and back spasms.
Scherzer told reporters Sunday the pain was so severe he couldn't lift his arm. He initially said the injury involved a nerve in his neck that was "all jammed up" and he needed help doing menial tasks.
But it was a different story speaking with reporters Tuesday after receiving treatment.
"The cortisone shot worked. That relieved the pressure on the nerve, and then keep applying heat. Our chiropractor, he does amazing work, he was able to go in there and make adjustments," Scherzer told reporters. "We did two treatments of it and really freed up the neck, the C5-C6 area, along with the trap, spasm, really felt like it subsided. And even when I was warming up tonight I felt really good. I'm good to go."
Scherzer, who pitched with a broken nose earlier this season, said starting Game 7 of the World Series is "what you live for."
"For me, I need to get in my pregame routine right now, and that's where I'm at mentally, here we go," Scherzer said. "Everybody had the belief in me, and the doctors and that if I could get right I can be ready for Game 7. ... It's Game 7. Let's go."
Scherzer threw in the outfield at Minute Maid Park before Game 6 on Tuesday but was never used in relief of Stephen Strasburg.
Max Scherzer is throwing off flat ground in Houston. pic.twitter.com/zSTlsONd1O
— Nationals on MASN (@masnNationals) October 29, 2019
"We got him up knowing that if the game is tied or we were up a run we might have to use him," Nationals manager Dave Martinez said. "He wanted to go down there and just throw and get loose. We scored some more runs and I immediately shut him down."
Astros manager A.J. Hinch said he wasn't "that frustrated" Scherzer didn't pitch after warming up.
"I don't control whether Scherzer pitches," Hinch told reporters. "If they want to pitch him they would have pitched him. ... We're going to have to deal with him tomorrow."
Scherzer, 35, started Game 1 of the series for Washington and got the win after allowing two earned runs on five hits to go along with seven strikeouts and three walks in five innings.
The deciding game between the Astros and Nationals will start at 8:08 p.m. ET on Wednesday.