Shane Bieber and Trey Yesavage are working back from injuries, but it's unclear if there's enough time left in the schedule.
As the Toronto Blue Jays mount a charge at the playoffs this season, some of their injured pitchers are mounting a charge to return from the injured list.
It's unclear if either of Shane Bieber and Trey Yesavage will be able to make it back this season, but they are certainly working at it.
As noted by Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet, Yesavage, who has been out with a knee injury, threw a 23-pitch bullpen on Friday. His velocity was up to 92 mph and he'll plan to throw again on Monday and Thursday. Next Thursday's session could see him up to 30 pitches.
This is not official, it's more just my own speculation: It sounds like if he is able to return this season, he might be best suited for a long relief role in the bullpen. If he does start, he will probably be on a pitch count and can't be counted on to go deep into games.
He's been on the injured list since early August.
Drafted in the first round of the 2024 MLB Draft out of East Carolina, Yesavage shot through the minor league ranks in 2025, debuting with the Blue Jays in September and playing a critical role in the team's run to the World Series.
Yesavage won games in the American League Division Series, ALCS and World Series, keeping the team's season alive in Game 6 of the ALCS with a win over the Seattle Mariners at Rogers Centre.
This season, he began the year on the injured list with a shoulder impingement, but has rebounded to go 5-5 with a 3.65 ERA through 18 starts. He's struck out 91 batters in 93.2 innings. He's a huge part of the team's future, so they'll be sure to be careful with him, even as they chase a playoff berth.
Zwelling also reports that Bieber threw a flat ground bullpen and could be on a mound by the end of this current road trip. He's been out with a shoulder injury, and his availability moving forward remains tenuous. He was placed on the injured list on Aug. 25. Given that he only went on the injured list a week-plus ago, he won't take as long to build back up.
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Shane Bieber (57) throws a pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays in the third inning at Tropicana Field. Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn ImagesThe right-hander has only made 11 starts this season, and didn't appear in a game until late June after spending most of the first three months on the injured list with "right forearm fatigue," which stems from a Tommy John surgery he had in 2024.
However, he's been pretty good - and an big part of holding the Jays patchwork rotation together. He's 5-2 with a 4.53 ERA in those 11 starts, and he's delivered back-to-back quality starts. He gave up just two total runs in 13 innings against the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees in his last two outings.
The Blue Jays and Kansas City Royals will play on Saturday at 7:10 p.m. ET.
