After winning the first of a three-game set Monday night after the trade deadline, the Toronto Blue Jays dropped Tuesday’s contest 7-2, once again showing next to no signs of life offensively. More importantly, the health of their young star pitcher Trey Yesavage remains the biggest concern.

Yesavage completed two scoreless innings, yet when warming up for the third, felt a pinch in his left knee and removed himself from the game. Though there doesn’t appear to be any structural damage, there is no indication as to whether the right-hander will need any time on the injured list. Prior to Tuesday’s game, manager John Schneider announced the rotation would extend itself to a six-man formation the rest of the season, with newly acquired pitchers José Soriano and Jameson Taillon both scheduled to make their Blue Jays debuts this week, though that could soon change if Yesavage needs time on the shelf.

Myles Straw did his part offensively for the Jays on Tuesday night, knocking in Andrés Giménez in the fifth inning via a triple, before scoring himself on a wild pitch; the only two runs the team could manufacture. Chad Dallas was thrust into a bulk relief role after Yesavage exited early, working three innings and allowing six runs on seven hits, walking four and striking out three.

The Jays sit seven games back of .500 with a 53-61 record, still in last place in the American League East and four games back of the final Wild Card spot, thanks to losses from the Cleveland Guardians and Minnesota Twins last night. The team will go for its third straight series win, having beaten the Washington Nationals and St. Louis Cardinals in back-to-back series.

Taillon will make his Blue Jays debut Wednesday afternoon, having been picked up by the team last week after he was DFA’d by the Chicago Cubs. It has been a rough season for Taillon, who has managed a 5.92 ERA through 15 starts this season, giving up 25 home runs in just 76 innings pitched. The Lakeland, Florida, native has great Canadian ties, pitching twice for Canada’s WBC team (2013, 2026). The veteran right-hander will get a fresh start with a team on the outside looking in at a playoff spot, and can expect to be the fifth or sixth option in a rotation with Dylan Cease, Soriano, Yesavage, Shane Bieber and Max Scherzer.

Location: Daikin Park – Houston, Texas

First Pitch: 2:10 p.m. EST

Watch/Listen: Sportsnet One, SN590

Toronto Blue Jays – Jameson Taillon: 2-6 record, 5.92 ERA, 76.0 IP, 68 SO, 27 BB

Houston Astros – Hunter Brown: 3-1 record, 3.42 ERA, 52.2 IP, 55 SO, 30 BB