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Instant Reaction: 2025 draftee Jake Casey hits late home run in Blue Jays’ 8-7 loss to Yankees
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Photo credit: © Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
Feb 24, 2026, 16:15 ESTUpdated: Feb 24, 2026, 16:23 EST
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The Toronto Blue Jays can’t seem to get going to start Spring Training.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Blue Jays played an American League Divisional Series rematch against the New York Yankees, losing 8-7 to move their Spring Training record to 1-3. Let’s take a look at what went on in this one.
Before the Jays even had a chance to bat, the Yankees put up two runs. With runners on first and second and no outs, Cody Bellinger hit an RBI single to score a run, followed by an RBI single by Jazz Chisholm Jr. to make it 2-0. The Jays cut the lead in half in the bottom of the first, as Daulton Varsho hit a triple and was driven in by Jesús Sánchez.
Tyler Rogers took the mound in the top of the third, with Cody Bellinger hitting a long single that nearly went out of the park. Two batters later, Paul Goldschmidt left the park, hitting the ball to dead centre to give the Yankees a 4-1 lead.
In the top of the fifth, they made it 6-1 with a two run RBI double from Goldschmidt, followed by an RBI single from Amed Rosario to make it 7-1 for the Yankees. The Jays rallied in the bottom of the sixth, as Carlos Mendoza hit an RBI single to give the Jays their second run, then Charles McAdoo hit a double to score two. McAdoo attempted to steal third, and an errant throw allowed him to score.
The biggest hit of the game from a Blue Jay came in the bottom of the ninth with a runner on. Drafted in the 15th round of the 2025 draft, Jake Casey came on as a defensive replacement in the top of the ninth, then hit a two-run blast in the bottom half of the inning with his dad, former big leaguer Sean Casey, watching.
Following Casey, Rafael Lantigua got a single, then stole second to put the tying runner in scoring position. Unfortunately, Arjun Nimmala struck out,, Cutter Coffey grounded out to move Lantigua to third, and Edward Duran grounded out to end the game with runner stranded on third.

Takeaways…

The biggest bright spot of this game was Casey’s two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth. In his senior year at Kent, Casey slashed .356/.500/.736 with 17 home runs in 269 plate appearances, leading the Blue Jays to select him in the 15th round last draft. In 23 games to end the season in Single-A, Casey slashed .281/.439/.531 with three home runs in 82 plate appearances. With this home run, it’s worth it to say that he’s a prospect worth monitoring.
Charles McAdoo is another prospect worth monitoring this season, as he found success in Double-A after a rough start and stint on the development list. The power is legitimate, and he hit a double in this game, but his ceiling is dependent on if he can hit at the major league level.
Dautlon Varsho legged out a triple in the first inning, a good sign given he missed a portion of last season due to a hamstring injury. It was good to see Jesús Sánchez drive him in, although he struggled with a left-handed pitcher in his third plate appearance.
Prospect Grant Rogers started this game, giving up two earned runs in two innings of work. Tyler Rogers also struggled, giving up a home run to Paul Goldschmidt in the top of the third inning. Both Jesse Hahn and Nate Garkow gave up earned runs, Hahn gave up three, while Angel Bastardo, Hayden Juenger, Ryan Jennings, and Tanner Andrews had scoreless outings.
Bastardo had a good showing in particular, with his fastball touching 98 mph, the top velocity in this game. He generated three whiffs, with the only Andrews (five) and Garkow (four) having more for Blue Jays’ pitchers. The battle between Bastardo and Miles will be a fun one.
The Blue Jays will be back in action on Wednesday at 1:05 PM ET, as they head to Lakeland to face the Tigers. Cody Ponce is expected to start for the Blue Jays, but that game will unfortunately be radio only.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

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