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Trey Yesavage flashed dominance but rookie season largely marred by injuries
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Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Michael Coyle
Oct 16, 2026, 14:00 EDTUpdated: Oct 16, 2026, 09:58 EDT
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The 2026 Toronto Blue Jays just couldn’t escape the injury bug. 
In the case of rookie right-hander Trey Yesavage, he entered the 2026 season with big expectations following his late-season debut in 2025 and his postseason heroics, but ultimately fell short as injuries took their toll on him. 
How the year went
Entering the 2026 campaign, Yesavage was one of the favourites for American League Rookie of the Year. Unfortunately, Yesavage missed all of spring training as he dealt with right shoulder impingement, which ultimately landed him on the 15-day injured list to open the season. 
On April 28, with the Blue Jays holding a 12-16 record, Yesavage was activated from the IL and made his first start of the season against the Boston Red Sox. Yesavage turned in a pitching line of 5.1 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, and picked up the win as the Blue Jays defeated the Red Sox 3-0. 
Over six starts during the month of May, Yesavage pitched to a 2.56 ERA, but he always seemed to be walking a tightrope, highlighted by five of the six outings where he walked at least two batters. Yesavage struck out 36 batters over his 31.2 frames and held opponents to a .202 average as he continued to display elite swing-and-miss ability. 
Yesavage battled through the month of June before his walks became a major issue in July. The right-hander walked at least two in four of his five outings, but the control was completely lost on July 11 against the San Diego Padres. Yesavage lasted 1.2 innings and allowed four earned runs on only one hit and seven walks. 
After closing July with a victory over the Washington Nationals in which Yesavage turned in a pitching line of 6.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, during a 5-2 Blue Jays win, the 23-year-old was dealt a weird injury during his first start in August. 
After throwing two scoreless innings against the Houston Astros on August 4, Yesavage injured his left knee while warming up to begin the bottom of the third inning. After leaving the outing, Yesavage underwent surgery to repair the meniscus injury he suffered. 
Yesavage spent over a month on the 15-day IL before being activated on September 21. Yesavage made two starts in September and went two innings in each of his outings to put a wrap on his 2026 campaign. 
In total, Yesavage made 20 starts and went 5-6 with a 3.69 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP. The righty struck out 97 batters across 97.2 innings and held opponents to a sparkling .186 average. 
As the Blue Jays prepare for 2027, Yesavage will slot in alongside Dylan Cease and José Soriano as staples in Toronto’s rotation, in what could be a special group if they can all stay healthy. 
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