The present is looking pretty nice for the AL East-leading Toronto Blue Jays, and after Monday, so does their future.
Right-handed starting pitcher Trey Yesavage, 22, shone in his MLB debut, pitching five innings in a 2-1 extra-innings win over the Tampa Bay Rays (73-77).
Yesavage, Toronto’s No. 1 prospect, allowed three hits and one run with nine strikeouts in 69 pitches. Per MLB.com’s Sarah Langs, his 19 swings and misses were tied for the fifth-most by a pitcher in his major-league debut since 2008.
Of his nine strikeouts, eight came via splitter or slider, with Yesavage quickly showing off his devastating off-speed pitches.
Why Trey Yesavage won’t be in Blue Jays’ playoff rotation
By being a mid-September call-up, Yesavage won’t factor in Toronto’s postseason plans. Per MLB rules, only players who were on the 40-man roster or 60-day injured list on Sep. 1 at noon are eligible for the playoffs. But his stellar performance is an excellent sign for 2026 and beyond.
Starting pitchers Chris Bassitt, 36, and Max Scherzer, 40, are free agents at the end of the season, while Kevin Gausman, 34, is only under contract through 2026. The sooner Yesavage can lock down one of the spots in the rotation, the easier it will be for the Blue Jays to replace their aging starters.
The Blue Jays (88-62) have a five-game lead over the New York Yankees (83-67) for first in the AL East and are the frontrunners at sportsbooks to win the AL pennant. As much as they have to play for the rest of 2025, Yesavage’s promising debut is a sign that the stakes could be just as high next year.