Now that he\u2019s just a step removed from the major leagues, it\u2019s reasonable to wonder whether a big-league debut could happen before the end of the regular season, potentially setting up a role for Yesavage in the playoffs. To better understand that decision, let\u2019s look back at historical precedent, take stock of the potential opportunity in Toronto and determine what it would mean for the team\u2019s 40-man roster:<\/p>\n
The last 25 years include plenty of examples of pitchers debuting late in the season before impressing in October. Any such list must begin with Francisco Rodr\u00edguez, who pitched five games in the 2002 regular season before dominating over the course of 11 relief appearances on the way to the Angels\u2019 first ever title.<\/p>\n
Joba Chamberlain enjoyed a similarly impressive arc with the 2007 Yankees, as did David Price with the 2008 Rays and Matt Moore on the 2011 Rays. In each case, the pitchers were considered top prospects.<\/p>\n
More recently, Orion Kerkering made seven playoff appearances following just three regular season games for the 2023 Phillies. And just last year, Erik Sabrowski of the Guardians (8) and Jackson Jobe of the Tigers (2) made as many post-season appearances as they did regular-season appearances.<\/p>\n
As these examples show, there is precedent for promoting top prospects late in the year and handing them important playoff innings mere weeks later. The Blue Jays have done it too, as they placed rookies Nate Pearson and Thomas Hatch on their 2020 playoff roster just a couple months after the pitchers made their MLB debuts.<\/p>\n
Of course, there\u2019s plenty of precedent for\u00a0not\u00a0promoting top prospects, too, and that list would be much longer. So while it\u2019s possible the Blue Jays promote Yesavage, many things still have to line up for that to happen.<\/p>\n
Step 1 for Yesavage: stay healthy. Step 2: continue pitching well. Without those two elements, nothing else matters. But if Yesavage continues to impress, he\u2019ll put himself in position to be considered for a call-up as the season progresses.<\/p>\n
At this moment, the Blue Jays are well positioned with respect to their starting rotation, as Shane Bieber should soon be ready for big-league action and Alek Manoah is working his way back, too. Yet a quarter of the season still remains, meaning there\u2019s plenty of time for unexpected needs to emerge.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Looking beyond the starting rotation, it\u2019s perhaps most likely that Yesavage\u2019s role at the MLB level would first be pitching out of the bullpen just as fellow starting pitching prospects Chamberlain, Price and Jobe did. In that scenario, Yesavage would need one of the team\u2019s eight bullpen spots to open up instead of one of only five rotation spots. In theory, Yesavage would likely be in the bullpen in October, too.<\/p>\n
Now, the better he pitches in Buffalo, the more he improves his chances of getting that shot.<\/p>\n
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Watch Blue Jays vs. Cubs on Sportsnet<\/p>\n
The American League-leading Toronto Blue Jays return home for a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs. Game 3 is Thursday, starting at 3 p.m. ET \/ noon PT, with live coverage on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.<\/p>\n