logo
Blue Jays announce rotation plans as regular season gets ready to resume following All-Star Break
alt
Photo credit: © Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Michael Coyle
Jul 16, 2026, 13:19 EDT
Comments
The 2026 version of the Toronto Blue Jays is just about hitting make-or-break time if they have any visions of returning to the postseason this season. 
Currently sitting 2.5 games out of the American League’s final Wild Card spot with 66 games remaining, the Blue Jays need to start stringing series wins together to give themselves a realistic shot at playing baseball into October. 
To kick off the unofficial second half, the Blue Jays will open with a seven-game homestand, with both the Chicago White Sox and Tampa Bay Rays visiting Rogers Centre. Earlier this week, Blue Jays manager John Schneider announced the plan for the club’s starting rotation coming out of the All-Star Break. 
The Blue Jays’ order following the four-day layoff will be Spencer Miles, Shane Bieber, Trey Yesavage, Dylan Cease, and Kevin Gausman. 
Spencer Miles
On Friday night, in the series opener against the White Sox, the Blue Jays will hand the ball to rookie right-hander Miles. The fifth spot in the Blue Jays’ rotation has been a revolving door for much of the season, but it looks like the coaching staff has settled on giving Miles a chance to prove he can carry his success this season from the bullpen to the rotation. 
Through 26 games (three starts) this season, Miles is 4-1 with a 2.85 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP. Across 60 innings, Miles has recorded 57 punchouts, held opposing teams to a .211 average, and currently gives the Blue Jays the best chance at winning games in this spot in the rotation. 
Shane Bieber
The Blue Jays need Bieber to discover the form he flashed last season after they acquired him. In seven starts last year, the right-hander went 4-2 with a 3.57 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP, but this season’s results have been a far cry from those numbers. 
Since returning from right elbow inflammation that cost Bieber the first half of the season, the 31-year-old has made four starts and has gone 0-1 with a 7.64 ERA and a 2.04 WHIP. Bieber has struggled to miss bats, allowing 26 hits over his 17.2 innings pitched, good for a .342 average against. Bieber has struck out only 13 batters, but was able to limit the San Diego Padres to two runs over 4.2 innings in his most recent outing. 
Trey Yesavage
Yesavage needs a bounce-back start. The 22-year-old’s last outing was the worst of his young career, turning in a pitching line of 1.2 IP, 1 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 7 BB, 1 K. While walks have been a concern all season, last Saturday’s outing set a new career high for the right-hander. 
On the season, Yesavage has made 14 starts and is 4-4 with a 3.72 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP. Over 75 innings, Yesavage has struck out 69 batters and has held opposing teams to a sparkling .182 average. 
Dylan Cease
Fresh off his All-Star outing in which Cease struck out the side, the right-hander will get the ball in the series opener against the Rays. After signing the largest free agent contract in franchise history, Cease has been everything the Blue Jays could have hoped for when they inked the 30-year-old. 
Through 17 starts this season, Cease is 6-4 with a 2.56 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. Even after missing time on the 15-day injured list due to a hamstring strain, Cease ranks second in MLB with 148 strikeouts over his 98.1 innings. 
Kevin Gausman
Even after enduring a rough stretch through much of June, Gausman has proven to be a reliable option every fifth day in the Blue Jays’ rotation. Through 20 starts this season, Gausman is 4-8 with a 4.33 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. 
The 35-year-old has struck out 116 batters over his 112.1 innings pitched, and with the state of the Blue Jays this season, coupled with the pending free agent status of Gausman, a decision on Gausman’s future in Toronto may be looming.

PRESENTED BY THE BLUEJAYSNATION NEWSLETTER

Stay ahead of the first pitch! From breaking news, unexpected trades and must-read analysis, BlueJaysNation delivers the insight serious Jays fans rely on—straight to your inbox. Sign up for the Bluejaysnation newsletter here!


News
MORE NEWS. IN YOUR INBOX.
CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

Breaking News