Nationals ace Scherzer to miss Sunday start

Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer has been scratched from Sunday's start against the Philadelphia Phillies due to back soreness, manager Davey Martinez told reporters on Friday. The three-time Cy Young Award winner underwent an MRI exam, and Martinez said it came back negative.

The right-hander experienced soreness in his middle back after his last outing on July 6 against the Kansas City Royals. Martinez said Scherzer's start would be pushed back a few days.

The red-hot Scherzer is 7-0 with a 0.84 ERA over his past nine starts. The 34-year-old is 9-5 with a 2.30 ERA in 19 starts this season. Right-hander Anibal Sanchez will start Sunday in Scherzer's pace. Sanchez is 5-6 with a 3.66 ERA in 16 starts.