Andy BackstromContributing writerWed, April 29, 2026 at 2:54 AM UTC·2 min readToronto Blue Jays pitcher Trey Yesavage finally made the first start of what’s technically his rookie season on Tuesday night against the Boston Red Sox.
The 22-year-old righty didn’t collect double-digit strikeouts like he did during his last start, a seven-inning masterpiece against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5 of the 2025 World Series, but he did set forth what could be an AL Rookie of the Year campaign.
After beginning the season on the injured list with a right shoulder impingement, Yesavage made his long-awaited return to the mound in a 3-0 victory over the Red Sox (12-18). He picked up the win, giving the Blue Jays (13-16) 5 1/3 innings of shutout ball. He needed 74 pitches to reach that point, logging three punch-outs along the way.
Trey Yesavage receives a standing ovation after a scoreless outing in his 2026 debut 👏 pic.twitter.com/u9AbJ3xh5T
Yesavage conceded four hits, only one of the extra-base variety, and didn’t issue a walk. He finished strong, stringing together a 1-2-3 inning in the fifth and then striking out Willson Contreras in the sixth before Toronto turned to its bullpen.
By that point, it already had all three of its runs, courtesy of RBI singles from Kazuma Okamoto and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
When Blue Jays manager John Schneider took the ball from Yesavage, the Pottstown, Pennsylvania, native received a standing ovation from appreciative fans who graciously welcomed him back.
“It was awesome,” Yesavage said of the reception he got from Blue Jays faithful at the beginning and end of his start, via 6ix Inning Stretch Podcast’s Lindsay Dunn.
“These fans are great, and I’m very blessed to play in front of them.”
They won’t ever forget the shot in the arm he gave their team’s rotation last season. Yesavage, a 2024 first-round pick of the Blue Jays, ascended through the ranks, going from Single-A to the big leagues just in time for Toronto’s World Series push.
He scattered 14 innings across three regular-season starts, all wins, and then helped the Blue Jays win their first AL pennant in 32 years. In the process, he piled up 27 2/3 innings, making five postseason starts and three total appearances in the World Series.
Yesavage could be the future of the Blue Jays. He’s also the present, and he gifted Toronto with an encouraging first start of the season Tuesday night against the Red Sox.