<p>With the trade deadline in the rearview mirror, the <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/">Blue Jays</a> added some depth to their pitching staff in the form of Shane Bieber, Seranthony Dominguez, and Louis Varland. While Varland is primarily going to be used out of the bullpen for this season, Bieber is the name who will join the starting rotation sometime in August to solidify Toronto&#8217;s contending plans. While adding Bieber is a great acquisition for the team, how does this impact their pitching depth going forward?</p>
<p>Let&#8217;s take a look at some names and where they are as of now when it comes to depth in the organization:</p>
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<p><strong>Alek Manoah &#8211; RHP</strong></p>
<p>Manoah is one player that many Blue Jays fans have been wondering when he will return to the big leagues after having UCL surgery last season.</p>
<p>With Bieber now in the picture, Manoah likely falls to being the seventh arm of a potential six-man rotation and has the minor league options at his disposal to remain in Buffalo if need be. In his first rehab start back on July 20th, Manoah threw for two innings, struck out two batters while allowing a run on three hits. He only threw 28 pitches, 16 of which were strikes and showed his sinker getting as high as 93 mph. In his most recent start in double-A New Hampshire earlier this week, he allowed five hits and two earned runs through three innings of work, while walking three and striking out two.</p>
<p>While <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/toronto-blue-jays-alek-manoah-allows-two-earned-runs-rehab-start-new-hampshire">Manoah</a> is still at least weeks away from potential big league action, it&#8217;s promising to know that one of the team&#8217;s top arms a few seasons ago is progressing well on his return to the majors. With Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer set to be free agents at the end of this season, and Kevin Gausman set to hit the open market following the 2026 campaign, it would be in both sides best interest to try and salvage their seasons and get back closer to how Manoah was in spurts last season, and the ceiling being how good he was in 2021 and 2022.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Alek Manoah&#39;s rehab assignment move to Double-A New Hampshire last night, where he allowed 2 runs over 3+ innings.</p>
<p>3.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 2 K &amp; 64 pitches (36 strikes)</p>
<p>Manoah has now made 3 rehab starts, one each in the Florida Complex League, Single-A and now Double-A. <a href="https://t.co/AfL2PILDG4">pic.twitter.com/AfL2PILDG4</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Blue Jays Nation (@thejaysnation) <a href="https://twitter.com/thejaysnation/status/1953887695878398422?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 8, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
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<p><strong>Trey Yesavage &#8211; RHP</strong></p>
<p>The Blue Jays&#8217; best pitching prospect and second-best prospect in their system is not slowing down anytime soon.</p>
<p>Yesavage has so far climbed the Blue Jays&#8217; ranks since being drafted 20th overall in 2024 and beginning his pro career just this year. Yesavage started the season in single-A Dunedin and put up a 2.43 ERA in seven starts, striking out 55 batters.  After strong showings there and in high-A Vancouver, he got called up to join the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. So far across seven starts, he has allowed 15 earned runs through 30 innings, seeing his ERA sit at a higher 4.50 mark compared to his previous dealings in the lower levels. He is still striking out opposing hitters at a high mark, but is offering more contact against the more refined bats in double-A.</p>
<p>While Yesavage is still progressing in his development in the minor leagues, his quick rise through the system at just 21 years old is very promising among those in the organization. With how strong the rotation is currently, having Yesavage make his MLB debut this year is slim, but Ross Atkins hinted during his media availabilities that the club is pleased with his progress and even hinted at the young right-hander forcing the club&#8217;s hand potentially this year. He should be a name to keep an eye on with the September roster expansion.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Trey Yesavage worked out of the &#39;pen for the first time as a pro tonight at Double-A. He struck out 9, generated 21 whiffs and walked none over 5.0 innings and 89 pitches of 2-run ball.</p>
<p>Will be interesting to see how he is used in his next outing. <a href="https://t.co/xhA5bzt9DB">pic.twitter.com/xhA5bzt9DB</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Zach Worden (@Worden_Zach) <a href="https://twitter.com/Worden_Zach/status/1953977986983899429?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
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<p><strong>Adam Macko &#8211; LHP</strong></p>
<p>The Blue Jays acquired <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/five-mlb-ready-toronto-blue-jays-prospects-could-debut-end-season">Adam Macko</a> as part of the transaction with the Seattle Mariners that saw Teoscar Hernandez head out west a few years back, with Erik Swanson joining the club in the deal as well. With Swanson being released by the club back on June 23rd, Macko is the lone name that remains from that infamous deal.</p>
<p>With the likes of Jake Bloss and Ricky Tiedemann suffering injuries that set both of them back in recent memory, Macko is a name many may look at as someone who can be viewed as another left-handed arm for the rotation. Despite having arthroscopic surgery on his knee back in February, Macko has put up a 1-6 record in ten starts in triple-A Buffalo this season. He has recorded 33 strikeouts across 38 innings of work, but the issue comes with his control, leading to an elevated 1.87 WHIP. His last start alone had five walks across four innings.</p>
<p>While Macko is unlikely to make the jump to the show this season, he is a project the team may want to put a lot more emphasis on his recovery, as well as working on his control and command in the zone. His slider and curveball are still great strengths of his, and his fastball still jumps up in the mid-90s. At only 24 years old, Macko is still someone who&#8217;s finding his way, but he can be someone who can help bolster a major league rotation in the distant future. He also has the added benefit of already being on the 40-man roster, should the front office be concerned about potential roster moves.</p>
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With the trade deadline in the rearview mirror, the <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/">Blue Jays</a> added some depth to their pitching staff in the form of Shane Bieber, Seranthony Dominguez, and Louis Varland. While Varland is primarily going to be used out of the bullpen for this season, Bieber is the name who will join the starting rotation sometime in August to solidify Toronto's contending plans. While adding Bieber is a great acquisition for the team, how does this impact their pitching depth going forward?

Let's take a look at some names and where they are as of now when it comes to depth in the organization:
<div class="bam-inline-promotion" data-property-id="330" data-promotion-id="18983" data-context="“web-content-promocard&quot;"></div>

<hr />

<strong>Alek Manoah - RHP</strong>

Manoah is one player that many Blue Jays fans have been wondering when he will return to the big leagues after having UCL surgery last season.

With Bieber now in the picture, Manoah likely falls to being the seventh arm of a potential six-man rotation and has the minor league options at his disposal to remain in Buffalo if need be. In his first rehab start back on July 20th, Manoah threw for two innings, struck out two batters while allowing a run on three hits. He only threw 28 pitches, 16 of which were strikes and showed his sinker getting as high as 93 mph. In his most recent start in double-A New Hampshire earlier this week, he allowed five hits and two earned runs through three innings of work, while walking three and striking out two.

While <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/toronto-blue-jays-alek-manoah-allows-two-earned-runs-rehab-start-new-hampshire">Manoah</a> is still at least weeks away from potential big league action, it's promising to know that one of the team's top arms a few seasons ago is progressing well on his return to the majors. With Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer set to be free agents at the end of this season, and Kevin Gausman set to hit the open market following the 2026 campaign, it would be in both sides best interest to try and salvage their seasons and get back closer to how Manoah was in spurts last season, and the ceiling being how good he was in 2021 and 2022.

https://twitter.com/thejaysnation/status/1953887695878398422

<hr />

<strong>Trey Yesavage - RHP</strong>

The Blue Jays' best pitching prospect and second-best prospect in their system is not slowing down anytime soon.

Yesavage has so far climbed the Blue Jays' ranks since being drafted 20th overall in 2024 and beginning his pro career just this year. Yesavage started the season in single-A Dunedin and put up a 2.43 ERA in seven starts, striking out 55 batters.  After strong showings there and in high-A Vancouver, he got called up to join the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. So far across seven starts, he has allowed 15 earned runs through 30 innings, seeing his ERA sit at a higher 4.50 mark compared to his previous dealings in the lower levels. He is still striking out opposing hitters at a high mark, but is offering more contact against the more refined bats in double-A.

While Yesavage is still progressing in his development in the minor leagues, his quick rise through the system at just 21 years old is very promising among those in the organization. With how strong the rotation is currently, having Yesavage make his MLB debut this year is slim, but Ross Atkins hinted during his media availabilities that the club is pleased with his progress and even hinted at the young right-hander forcing the club's hand potentially this year. He should be a name to keep an eye on with the September roster expansion.

https://twitter.com/Worden_Zach/status/1953977986983899429

<hr />

<strong>Adam Macko - LHP</strong>

The Blue Jays acquired <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/five-mlb-ready-toronto-blue-jays-prospects-could-debut-end-season">Adam Macko</a> as part of the transaction with the Seattle Mariners that saw Teoscar Hernandez head out west a few years back, with Erik Swanson joining the club in the deal as well. With Swanson being released by the club back on June 23rd, Macko is the lone name that remains from that infamous deal.

With the likes of Jake Bloss and Ricky Tiedemann suffering injuries that set both of them back in recent memory, Macko is a name many may look at as someone who can be viewed as another left-handed arm for the rotation. Despite having arthroscopic surgery on his knee back in February, Macko has put up a 1-6 record in ten starts in triple-A Buffalo this season. He has recorded 33 strikeouts across 38 innings of work, but the issue comes with his control, leading to an elevated 1.87 WHIP. His last start alone had five walks across four innings.

While Macko is unlikely to make the jump to the show this season, he is a project the team may want to put a lot more emphasis on his recovery, as well as working on his control and command in the zone. His slider and curveball are still great strengths of his, and his fastball still jumps up in the mid-90s. At only 24 years old, Macko is still someone who's finding his way, but he can be someone who can help bolster a major league rotation in the distant future. He also has the added benefit of already being on the 40-man roster, should the front office be concerned about potential roster moves.

<hr />

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