Patrick Corbin forcing Toronto Blue Jays hand as pivotal rotation decision nears
Photo credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
The Toronto Blue Jays are nearing a pivotal decision point with their starting rotation.
While Patrick Corbin delivered another solid outing in Tuesday’s 4–2 win at Angel Stadium, developments elsewhere in the Toronto Blue Jays are signaling that change could be on the horizon.
At Triple-A Buffalo, Trey Yesavage made a rehab start that brings him closer to rejoining the big-league club, and potentially reshaping the rotation.
Corbin, who signed a $1 million deal on April 4 to help stabilize a staff hit by injuries, strengthened his case to stick around.
Building on a one-run performance against Milwaukee last Thursday, he followed up by limiting the Angels to just one run across five innings.
He leaned heavily on a combination of sinkers, sliders, and changeups to work through the Los Angeles lineup.
The sinker, in particular, helped him generate quick contact early, including two groundouts in a clean first inning.
The only damage came in the fifth, when back-to-back singles set up a sacrifice fly by Vaughn Grissom.
The evolution of Patrick Corbin's command through 3 starts with #BlueJays (start by start): We'll see if Trey Yesavage makes another AAA start before returning. But Corbin's last two starts have given this team more flexibility than they likely thought they had.
In his postgame presser manager John Schneider told reporters he was encouraged by how effectively Corbin adjusted his pitch mix against a righty-heavy Angels lineup.
"I really like what I'm seeing," Schneider said. "I thought he pitched really well. Locating the cutter in, sinker in off of that ... he deserved to go a little bit longer. For a veteran guy, he kind of understood what was going on there. I thought that his last two outings are exactly what we're looking for out of him."
Meanwhile, Yesavage’s outing in Buffalo is part of a gradual buildup, with the organization prioritizing his health over immediate results.
Schneider emphasized to reporters that pitch count and recovery matter more than dominant minor-league stat lines at this stage.
"I mean, I wish he threw more pitches," Schneider said on Tuesday. "I think physically, he’s pretty good. So we’ll figure that out in the next couple of days. ... I don't need to see like the 12-strikeout game in the Minors."
Corbin's performance over the last three starts forcing John Schneider to make a tough decision in upcoming days
The Blue Jays now face a key decision: whether Yesavage’s next step, potentially reaching an 80-pitch workload, should come in Triple-A or against major-league hitters. If they opt for the latter, a roster move will soon follow.
Corbin has done his part to make that decision difficult.
After allowing just one run against Milwaukee, he carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning versus the Angels before finishing with a line of five innings pitched, two hits, one earned run, two walks, and three strikeouts.
Once again, his mix of sinkers, sliders, and changeups proved effective, with the sinker driving early-count contact and helping him stay efficient through the lineup.
Schneider reiterated his confidence in the veteran’s recent performances against a right-handed-heavy lineup.
"I really like what I'm seeing," Schneider said. "I thought he pitched really well. Locating the cutter in, sinker in off of that ... he deserved to go a little bit longer. For a veteran guy, he kind of understood what was going on there. I thought that his last two outings are exactly what we're looking for out of him."
He has a 1.69 ERA in 10.2 IP in his last two starts.
Even with the shortened outing, Corbin told reporters following his outing that he believes he’s settling into a groove as he builds up strength after joining the team shortly after the season began.
"I thought I located really well," Corbin said. "Both sides of the plate, attacked through strikes, got ahead and really used all my pitches. I feel good. I just kind of [did] whatever they needed at the time, I was ready to come in and fill in. I just continue to try to get that arm strength up."
Still, Corbin’s hold on a rotation spot is far from secure. With four starters currently on the injured list—including José Berríos and Shane Bieber, the team has been piecing things together.
When Yesavage is ready to return, Toronto will likely have to decide between Corbin and Eric Lauer for the final spot in the rotation.
With Lauer set to pitch in the finale against the Angels this afternoon, his performance may be the deciding factor.
Another possibility is shifting Corbin into a long-relief role, which could help ease the burden on a bullpen that has been heavily taxed in recent games.
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