After an important win against the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday, the Toronto Blue Jays enter Thursday's off day at 76-77 with nine games to play in the regular season.

More importantly, the Blue Jays are 1.5 games back of the Chicago White Sox in the battle for the third and final wild card spot. They are also 0.5 games back of the Texas Rangers, who are just one game behind Chicago.

Fortunately for the Blue Jays, they'll have a chance to make a statement this weekend in a three-game series against the Rangers. Should they win that series, they'll pull ahead of Texas in the standings, all while hoping that the White Sox lose a series against the Detroit Tigers. It would also be beneficial if the Cleveland Guardians would lose a series to the suddenly feisty Athletics, who just beat the Blue Jays in a series last week. 

As the Blue Jays chase their second consecutive playoff berth, it looks like some help is on the way. Trey Yesavage, who has been out since early August because of surgery on his left knee, is set to be activated on either Sunday or Monday. Yesavage made a rehab start at Triple-A Buffalo earlier this week that didn't go well. He gave up two runs, only one of which was earned. He gave up two hits and a walk, tossing 34 pitches and failing to make it out of the first inning.

Despite that, the Blue Jays are set to activate him, and Yesavage has spoken openly about being ready to help take some stress off the bullpen.

Well, there's really three ways. We have to assume that after throwing 34 pitches, Yesavage isn't ready to start a game and go deep into a game. As a result, there's a few options.

1) He could start a game, effectively serving as an opener who goes 1-2 innings.

2) He could come in in relief of an opener, and throw 1-2 additional innings, three if he's being very efficient.

3) He could be used as a traditional reliever and be called upon whenever manager John Schneider needs him. However, he isn't used to the life of a traditional reliever, so there's risk in that.

Drafted in the first round of the 2024 MLB Draft, Yesavage debuted in 2025, making three appearances for the Jays in September. He was a huge part of the team's playoff run in 2025, winning games in each of the ALDS, ALCS and World Series.

This year, he's gone 5-5 with a 3.65 ERA, tossing 93.2 innings. Unfortunately, he's been on the injured list twice. The first time was with shoulder issues and the second time was with the knee.