Toronto Blue Jays rookie pitcher Trey Yesavage, who kicked off the 2025 season in the lower minors, has been tapped to start Game 2 of the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees. Manager John Schneider revealed this decision ahead of Saturday’s series opener. Yesavage, a right-hander, will face off against Yankees’ left-hander Max Fried on Sunday.
Yesavage expressed his excitement upon hearing the news, describing it as “awesome.” The 22-year-old was drafted by Toronto as the No. 20 pick in the previous year’s amateur draft. He swiftly ascended through four minor league levels this season before joining the Blue Jays, where he achieved a 1-0 record in three starts in September.
Reflecting on his journey, Yesavage shared, “I’ve encountered various experiences this year, playing for my fifth team and meeting the entire organization. However, finding myself in this position is beyond my expectations.”
In his previous outings, Yesavage did not exceed five innings per start with Toronto and managed only one six-inning appearance out of 25 games in the minor leagues this season, the majority of which were starts. Notably, he set a Blue Jays record by striking out nine batters in his Major League debut, showcasing his exceptional split-finger fastball. While he has faced the Rays and Royals before, the Yankees have yet to see him pitch in person.
New York manager Aaron Boone acknowledged Yesavage’s prowess, stating, “So far I only know a little bit about him, that he’s good. The split is real. I’ve heard he’s a guy that’s kind of unfazed by being up here in big spots.”
Blue Jays outfielder George Springer commended Yesavage’s composure as a rookie, noting, “He’s outwardly calm, and that perception does a lot for us. You would expect somebody to appear nervous, but he doesn’t. That just shows who he is as a player and as a human being.”
In a strategic move, Toronto will have pitcher Shane Bieber, the 2020 AL Cy Young awardee, start Game 3 at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday night. This decision allows Yesavage to start at home while keeping Bieber available for the road game, as explained by Schneider, who emphasized the flexibility in utilizing Yesavage throughout the series.
