Yesavage's Return Boosts Jays' Rotation

0:00It's April 18, Toronto Blue Jays News Today starts now, AI powered and ready for kickoff. The Toronto Blue Jays are gearing up to defend their American League pennant and they beefed up their starting rotation to fix last year's week spot. They locked in Dylan Ceece long term as the number two behind Ace Kevin Galsman and brought back Shane Bieber, though he's starting on the injured list. Cody Ponds tore his ACL in March, Jose Barrios is sidelined, and Rookie Trey Yessevage landed on the I.L. with a shoulder issue before the season kicked off, that left them leaning on vets like Mac Scherzer and even Patrick Corbin, which wasn't the plan. Yessevage, the 22-year-old first-round pick from 2024, exploded onto the scene last year. He tore through the minors with a 3.12 ERA and 160 strikeouts and 98 innings. Then debuted in the majors. His real shine came in the playoffs, shedding down the Yankees with

1:0011 strikeouts and gained two of the ALDS and 12 in the World Series. Now he's inching back, with three rehab starts under his belt, 14 strikeouts in 9.2 innings, allowing eight runs. The stuff looks sharp and teams expect some rust in these outings. Per reports, he'll throw over 75 pitches in his next triple A Buffalo appearance. If Yessevage slots in soon, he could supercharge that top of the rotation alongside Gossmann and Cees, giving the Jays the depth they need to chase. Another title.