Making his third rehab start with Toronto’s triple-A affiliate, the Buffalo Bisons, on Wednesday, Yesavage allowed three earned runs, two coming off home runs, struck out five and walked one batter. In 4.1 innings pitched, Yesavage threw 71 pitches, 42 for strikes, against the Rochester Red Wings, the Washington Nationals’ affiliate.
Jesse Hahn came in to relieve Yesavage with runners at the corners and one out, the score tied, 3-3.
Yesavage made his second minor-league rehab start of the season April 9, allowing four runs while striking out six and walking one over 2.2 innings with the class-A Dunedin Blue Jays.
In his first rehab start with Toronto’s single-A affiliate, Yesavage gave up one run on one hit (an inside-the-park home run), struck out three and walked one in 2.2 innings against the Bradenton Marauders, a Pittsburgh Pirates affiliate, in Dunedin’s season opener.
Picked 20th overall in the 2024 draft, Yesavage rocketed through the Blue Jays’ minor-league system last year before making a huge impact for Toronto late in the season and in the playoffs. He had a 3.21 ERA in three regular-season starts and a 3.58 ERA in six playoff appearances (five starts).
The Blue Jays’ rotation is in desperate need of reinforcements, as Jose Berrios (right elbow stress fracture), Shane Bieber (right elbow inflammation) and Cody Ponce (ACL sprain) are all on the IL, along with Yesavage.