Blue Jays' Yesavage Starts 2026 on IL with Shoulder Impingement

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider announced Thursday that promising young pitcher Trey Yesavage will begin the 2026 season on the injured list due to a right shoulder impingement, dealing another setback to the team's starting rotation just days before Opening Day.

The 22-year-old right-hander, selected 20th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, reported the issue upon arriving at spring training in Dunedin, Florida. It contributed to a cautious buildup that limited his activity throughout camp. Schneider said Yesavage recently threw 35 pitches in a minor-league game and felt positive afterward, but the team lacks sufficient time to fully prepare him before the March 27 opener against the Oakland Athletics at Rogers Centre. "It's something that he reported to camp with and it obviously led to his slow buildup, as well," Schneider told reporters. "Right now, he's feeling good and he's in a better place now to continue to ramp up. He's going to continue on the program he's been on."

Yesavage burst onto the scene last year after rapid progression through the minors. In three regular-season starts for Toronto following his September debut, he went 1-0 with a 3.21 ERA, allowing 13...