Trey Yesavage has arrived, and suddenly the Toronto Blue Jays look even scarier than they have all season.
The American League East leaders trotted out a rookie for his major league debut in mid-September, which was newsworthy in itself. But Yesavage quickly established why he was there: because he can help this ballclub get to a World Series.
Yesavage, the 22-year-old Pennsylvania native, rewarded Toronto’s faith by absolutely shoving against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays.
TAMPA, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 15: Trey Yesavage #39 and Tyler Heineman #55 of the Toronto Blue Jays walk to the dugout prior to a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field…
TAMPA, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 15: Trey Yesavage #39 and Tyler Heineman #55 of the Toronto Blue Jays walk to the dugout prior to a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field on September 15, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
More
Aguilar/Getty Images
In five-plus innings, Yesavage allowed an earned run on three hits and two walks. But most importantly, he punched out nine Rays hitters, setting a new franchise record for strikeouts in a major league debut, according to Mitch Bannon of The Athletic.
“Almost felt like there was some sort of trance put over me,” Yesavage said, per Bannon. “With a feeling of peace out there.”
Minor leaguers simply couldn’t touch Yesavage this season. So although he was drafted last summer and made his professional debut this spring, the Blue Jays decided there was no reason to keep wasting his filth in games that don’t count.
“I don’t want to say it’s a ‘risky’ thing bringing him up because we talked about it a lot,” manager John Schneider said, per Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. “We thought he could help us win, which he did (Monday).”
Yesavage generated a staggering 11 whiffs on his splitter, which he only threw 14 times. Everyone the Blue Jays face from here on out will be seeing him for the first time, so there’s every chance he could mystify them the way he did Tampa Bay.
It’s aggressive to argue a rookie should get a playoff start, but as Schneider hinted, talent is talent, so if Yesavage picks up where he left off in his next one, he’ll at least be in consideration.
More MLB: Blue Jays Cut Ties With 8-Year Veteran in Trey Yesavage Roster Move