The previous American League champs, the Toronto Blue Jays, have found themselves in a bit of an injury predicament to start 2026. Through 28 games thus far, the Blue Jays have 13 key players on the injury list, and these injuries have been costly.
Currently, the Blue Jays are 12-16, and half a game ahead of AL East opponent the Boston Red Sox. Tonight the Blue Jays continue their three-game series against the Red Sox, after falling to score a run in their 5-0 on Monday.
Notably, their pitching has taken the biggest hit this season. The Blue Jays started off the season without young phenom Trey Yesavage, Jose Berrios, Shane Bieber, and Yimi Garcia; while also tacking on recently injured pitcher Max Scherzer, Cody Ponce, and no. 5 prospect Ricky Tiedemann.
However, the Blue Jays might have gotten some good news after all…
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Trey Yesavage Is Activated Off The IL And Slated to Start Against Red Sox
On Tuesday morning, the Toronto Blue Jays announced that star pitcher Trey Yesavage has been reinstated from the 15-day injury list and will start against the Boston Red Sox’s for the first time in 2026. During Spring Training, Yesavage’s return to Toronto was slowed due to a right shoulder impingement.
🔹 RHP Trey Yesavage reinstated from 15-day IL and will start tonight’s game
🔹 RHP Chase Lee optioned to Triple-A
The 22-year-old made four rehab appearances before returning to the Blue Jays’ starting rotation. In his four appearances, Yesavage went 0-1 with a 7.50 ERA and 1.75 WHIP across 12 innings pitched.
While his numbers might not reflect the same Yesavage from 2025, he still showcased his swing-and-miss ability recording 16 strikeouts through 12 innings. In his final rehab start, Yesavage tapped out at 71 pitches to keep him ready for his Tuesday start at Rogers Centre.
Yesavage has not pitched in the big leagues since Game 7 of the World Series where he gave up a solo home run to Los Angeles Dodgers Max Muncy, that kickstarted the Dodgers comeback.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider spoke about why it took so long to activate Yesavage off the IL, and patience was the key.
“We’re making sure that once we hit ‘go,’ we don’t hit ‘pause,’” Schneider said. “He checked all of the boxes that we had hoped for. I wasn’t really looking at results, more looking at his stuff and the plan we had laid out since Spring Training. Getting him here with a little adrenaline and getting him going will be a good thing for him and a good thing for us.”
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Chase Lee Optioned Back to Triple-A
After starting pitcher Max Scherzer went down with a forearm injury and ankle discomfort, the Toronto Blue Jays recalled Chase Lee.
Chase Lee made one appearance in Monday’s loss against the Red Sox. Lee pitched 1.1 innings, gave up a home run, and recorded a single strikeout.
Unfortunately, the 27-year-old’s major league stint in 2026 was cut short after activating Trey Yesavage. Lee will now be pitching with Blue Jay’s Triple-A affiliate, the Buffalo Bisons.
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Blue Jays Starting Lineup vs. Red Sox
The Toronto Blue Jays square off against the Boston Red Sox at 7:07 PM EST on Tuesday, April 28. Trey Yesavage will take the mound for Toronto for the first time in 2026. While Payton Tolle takes the mound for the Red Sox.
Blue Jays lineup:
- Myles Straw (R) RF
- Ernie Clement (R) 2B
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (R) 1B
- Kazuma Okamoto (R) 3B
- Daulton Varsho (L) CF
- Eloy Jiménez (R) DH
- Davis Schneider (R) LF
- Tyler Heineman (S) C
- Andrés Giménez (L) SS
Red Sox Lineup:
- Willson Contreras (R) 1B
- Roman Anthony (L) LF
- Wilyer Abreu (L) RF
- Trevor Story (R) SS
- Masataka Yoshida (L) DH
- Carlos Narváez (R) C
- Marcelo Mayer (L) 2B
- Caleb Durbin (R) 3B
Toronto Blue Jays Announce Good News For Star Pitcher Ahead Of Red Sox Game