Trey Yesavage opened up the press conference ahead of his next post-season start with a message to everyone.
Keep his family out of it.
The 22-year-old Toronto Blue Jays rookie, who will start Game 2 of the ALCS against the Seattle Mariners, began an impassioned opening statement Sunday seemingly pointing to people attacking his loved ones this season.
“Living in this world where there’s so many different opinions and feelings which result in a lot of hate,” said Yesavage, who was outstanding in Game 2 of the ALDS against the New York Yankees. “It’s sad to see that people close to me are being attacked for my performance on the field.
“These people have done nothing to warrant negativity from my actions. Whether that’s my parents, my brothers, my girlfriend, family — it’s just really sad.”
Yesavage was pulled after 5.1 no-hit innings and a franchise playoff record 10 strikeouts during their 13-7 win over the Bronx Bombers to take a 2-0 series lead.
The crowd at Rogers Centre erupted as he made his way towards the third-base dugout and was subsequently summoned for a curtain call by an impassioned group of 44,764 screaming fans.
While Yesavage didn’t elaborate on the incidents he was referring to in his statement, he was emphatic that critics should point their issues to him, not those around him.
“I know I have the platform to address it … I’m a man — I can take whatever opinions anybody has about me and my life.”
The 2024 first-round pick will take the ball for just his fifth career start on Monday for Game 2 of the ALCS.