Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider with latest update on Trey Yesavage
Photo credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider spoke to reporters Sunday about rookie right-hander Trey Yesavage's workload and when he could make his 2026 debut.
Toronto Blue Jays rookie sensation Trey Yesavage enjoyed a rapid rise through the organization in 2025 after being selected in the first round of the 2024 MLB Draft.
The 21-year-old opened the season at Single-A, posting a 2.43 ERA in 33 1/3 innings before quickly earning promotions to Vancouver, Double-A New Hampshire, and Triple-A Buffalo.
He continued to impress at each stop, including a 17 1/3-inning stretch in Buffalo without allowing a home run while maintaining a high strikeout rate.
Yesavage made three appearances with Toronto in September and then pitched six more times in the postseason, including two starts and a relief outing in Game 7 of the World Series.
In total, he threw 139 2/3 innings between the regular season and playoffs - a significant jump from the 93 1/3 innings he logged at East Carolina University in 2024.
Because of that increase, the Blue Jays appear to be taking a cautious approach this spring.
Speaking to MLB.com's Keegan Matheson, Schneider said Yesavage is throwing today back in Blue Jays camp, then they'll decide on next steps from there as they try to manage his workload early on.
Trey Yesavage is throwing today back in #BlueJays camp, then they'll decide on next steps from there as they try to manage his workload early on. Could be a live BP, could be a Minor League game, could be a big-league game.
According to Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson Smith, ther are no plans for Yesavage to get into games as of this moment, but he continues building up.
Max Scherzer's next spring start slated for Saturday per John Schneider
Dylan Cease Tuesday
No plans for Trey Yesavage to get into games as of this moment but he continues building up
Dylan Cease Tuesday
No plans for Trey Yesavage to get into games as of this moment but he continues building up
Schneider views Yesavage as a starter, wants to be consistent with routine
Schneider said the slower buildup is intentional, with Yesavage expected to complete one more live batting practice session before entering game action.
Despite the workload considerations, Schneider indicated the team still views the rookie as a starter.
«Right now we still view him as a starter,» Schneider told Nicholson-Smith. «Last year was a year of disrupting a young guy's routine as much as we could, so we want to be pretty regular with him.»
Even so, Toronto could still manage Yesavage's innings carefully early in the season, particularly if José Berrios, Cody Ponce, and Max Scherzer begin the year healthy behind Dylan Cease and Kevin Gausman in the rotation.
Best-case scenario, the Blue Jays are piggybacking Yesavage with someone like Lauer or Ponce while another starter gets bumped to the bullpen temporarily.
Yet more likely, the situation resolves itself over the course of the next three weeks.
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