Blue Jays pitcher Trey Yesavage will start the 2026 season on the 15-day injured list because of a right shoulder impingement. Manager John Schneider shared the news, noting that Yesavage arrived at camp injured and has had a slower recovery. Although he recently threw 35 pitches in a minor league game and felt good, there isn’t enough time for him to be ready for the start of the season. His next outing is scheduled for March 25, but there’s no clear timeline for his return.
Yesavage isn’t the only Blue Jay facing injury. He joins pitchers Shane Bieber, who is dealing with forearm fatigue, and José Berríos, who has a stress fracture in his elbow. As a result, the team’s rotation will kick off with Kevin Gausman, Dylan Cease, Cody Ponce, Max Scherzer, and Eric Lauer.
At just 22 years old, Yesavage was a frontrunner for Rookie of the Year honors after a promising debut last season. He made three regular-season starts with a 3.21 ERA over 14 innings. In the playoffs, he shone in six appearances, boasting a 3.58 ERA and a strikeout rate of 35.8%. One standout moment came when he held the Dodgers to just one run over seven innings in Game 5 of the World Series. Despite his impressive performances, his shoulder injury throws a shadow over his Rookie of the Year chances.
Despite these injuries, the Blue Jays may find some silver linings. They haven’t traded any of their starting pitchers, even after signing Cease, Ponce, and Scherzer, which gives them more depth. The injuries to Bieber and Berríos aren’t as dire as they might sound. Bieber has been cleared to throw from flat ground and will be back on the mound soon. Berríos is symptom-free and is expected to resume throwing shortly.
However, every injury tests the team’s depth. With another depth starter, Bowden Francis, out for the season due to Tommy John surgery, the situation grows more concerning. Prospects like Ricky Tiedemann and Jake Bloss are also dealing with their own injuries.
If needed, swingman Yariel Rodríguez could return after clearing waivers. Beyond him, options are thin. Righty Lazaro Estrada has limited MLB experience, and prospects Adam Macko and Spencer Miles are yet to pitch at the big league level. Additionally, non-roster pitchers Connor Seabold and Michael Plassmeyer have had mixed results, adding uncertainty to the Blue Jays’ pitching roster.
Looking at the broader landscape, the increasing injuries faced by the Blue Jays highlight a trend in sports—teams often deal with unexpected setbacks. In recent years, injuries have impacted various teams across leagues significantly, reshaping playoff races and championship outcomes. The Blue Jays will need to rely on their depth and the ability of younger players to step up as they navigate this challenging start to the season.
For more information on player injuries and recovery, you can check out this comprehensive report from MLB: MLB Injury Reporting.
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