Max Scherzer: Latest Updates on Tigers SP's Shoulder Fatigue

Update: Tuesday, Sept. 18 at 10:03 p.m. ET

The good news is that Scherzer's injury doesn't appear to be serious, per Jon Morosi of FoxSports.com.

Morosi tweeted on Tuesday:

Max Scherzer has no structural damage. He will not throw for a couple days, will be analyzed from there.

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) September 19, 2012

--- End of Update ---

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Max Scherzer left Tuesday's game against the Oakland Athletics with right shoulder fatigue, according to Jon Morosi of FoxSports.com.

Morosi tweeted on Tuesday:

Scherzer right shoulder fatigue, will undergo MRI.

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) September 18, 2012

This is certainly a bad time for this to flare up for Scherzer. Not only are the Tigers 5.5 games back for a Wild Card spot in the American League, they are facing the Athletics, who lead the Wild Card race.

The 28-year-old right-hander was 16-6 with a 3.78 ERA and 1.27 WHIP headed into Tuesday's matchup in Detroit. He had compiled 224 strikeouts in just 178.2 innings this season. He was even better after the All-Star break, posting an 8-1 record with a 2.61 ERA.

With the Tigers already on the outside looking in, if Scherzer is forced to miss time, it could be crippling for the squad. Despite the efforts of Scherzer and Justin Verlander, the Tigers have posted a starters' ERA of 3.93 this season.

The Tigers, who are three games behind the Chicago White Sox, were largely expected to capture the AL Central this season after the signing of slugger Prince Fielder in the offseason. They have scored the ninth-most runs in Major League Baseball.

Including Tuesday's game, the Tigers have 16 games to right the ship. With Scherzer aboard, there was still hope. 

Now, Detroit must wait for the MRI results and hope nothing is too serious. Otherwise, a club highly touted before the season could miss the playoffs altogether.

The good news for Detroit?

The Tigers play the Kansas City Royals and Minnesota Twins twice each before the end of the regular season.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com