The Toronto Blue Jays just won their series against the Houston Astros and will now face the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs are fresh off a series sweep against the Blue Jays’ bitter rivals: the Los Angeles Dodgers. Unfortunately, the Blue Jays’ news of the day is not great, at least not as it pertains to Trey Yesavage.
Prior to their makeup game against the Cubs, John Schneider offered an update on Yesavage. MLB insider Shi Davidi revealed what Schneider said.
“John Schneider says Trey Yesavage has an injury to the meniscus in his left knee and will visit a specialist Monday to determine next steps,” Davidi wrote on social media. “Surgery ‘is always a possibility,’ when a player sees a specialist, said Schneider. ‘We’re obviously hoping to avoid that.”
Arden Zwelling added to the news by saying that Yesavage will “see a specialist on Monday for further evaluation and to determine next steps.”
Before seeing the specialist, he was removed from Tuesday’s game while warming up for the third inning. He experienced a pinching sensation, and Schneider revealed that “he couldn’t really stabilize it perfectly.”
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Meniscus Injury: Potential Yesavage Recovery Timelines
Considering that Yesavage underwent an MRI, it’s reasonable to conclude that a torn meniscus could be on the table.
If that’s the case, surgery is certainly an option. There are two surgeries available to treat a torn meniscus: a meniscal repair and a meniscectomy.
According to Mass General Brigham, a meniscal repair is a surgery where the meniscus is sewn back together to facilitate healing. A meniscectomy, however, involves removing part (or all) of the meniscus from the knee.
The recovery time for both operations is dramatically different.
Recovery from a meniscal repair can take as long as six months. This is primarily because the sewn-together meniscus is allowed to heal on its own. With a meniscectomy, non-athletes can expect to return to full activity within 4-6 weeks.
In the short term, the Blue Jays would want Yesavage back sooner. However, because of how young Yesavage is, opting for a meniscal repair is better for his long-term health.
Until his specific injury has been confirmed, this is all speculation.
However, a torn meniscus would make sense. It would also explain why they would want Yesavage to see a specialist. A long recovery time is less than ideal, and removing part or all of his left meniscus is also not ideal.
Trey Yesavage’s Season With the Toronto Blue Jays
Yesavage has been a solid starter in the Blue Jays rotation this year.
In 18 starts, he has a 5-5 record, 91 strikeouts, a 1.14 WHIP, and a 3.65 ERA.
On Wednesday, the Blue Jays put Yesavage on the 15-day IL for left-knee inflammation. In corresponding moves, they optioned Chad Dallas while recalling Chase Lee and Lazaro Estrada.
Toronto Blue Jays Pitching Injuries This Year
Unfortunately for the Blue Jays, Yesavage isn’t the only injured pitcher they have had this season.
As far as their rotation is concerned, they have sustained injuries to Cody Ponce, Jose Berrios, Max Scherzer, and Patrick Corbin. This has put immense pressure on their pitcher depth this season.
Of course, Bowden Francis, Yimi Garcia, and Ricky Tiedemann are just a few others on the Blue Jays pitching staff who have incurred injuries.
Not to mention that Yesavage himself began the year on the shelf.
One way or another, the Blue Jays (and Yesavage) are going to have to figure out the best way forward with this injury news.
Blue Jays Announce Gloomy Trey Yesavage Injury Update