Speaking to reporters Tuesday morning at Toronto Blue Jays spring training, manager John Schneider said that team will be judicious in how it ramps up starting pitcher  Trey Yesavage this spring.

As noted by Shi Davidi on social media, Yesavage won't appear in a Grapefruit League game until next week. He's thrown a live session and side sessions in the bullpen, but the team is very cognizant that he just threw the most innings of his life (139.2) in 2025. That was more than 40 more than his collegiate high at East Carolina (93.1).

Schneider also made it clear that the regular season will require some maneuvering with Yesavage. He said it's unlikely to expect him to make 32 starts and hit the 200-inning mark.

A first-round pick of the Blue Jays in 2024, Yesavage shot through the minors in 2025, appearing in the big leagues in September and October. The 22-year-old went 1-0 in three starts down the stretch and then won games in the American League Division Series, American League Championship Series and World Series. His performance in Game 6 of the ALCS saved Toronto's season and his 12-strikeout win in Game 5 of the World Series was lights out as well.

He will pair with Kevin Gausman, Dylan Cease, Jose Berrios and Cody Ponce in the starting rotation, at least at the beginning of the year.

Because he still has prospect eligibility, he is the highest-rated prospect in the Toronto system entering 2026.

Given the early-season injury to Shane Bieber and this very clear plan with Yesavage, it's evident that the Blue Jays can't afford to trade Berrios or Eric Lauer, which seemed like possibilities this offseason. Furthermore, the recent connection to Max Scherzer makes sense as well, especially after depth starter Bowden Francis was lost for the season to injury.

--Left-handed prospect Ricky Tiedemann, who has had a career full of injuries at just 23, reported some elbow discomfort and will be shut down for a week.

--Right-hander Jose Berrios, projected to be in the starting rotation because of the injury to Shane Bieber, announced after his start on Monday that he felt some elbow soreness last spring. Berrios pitched most of the season successfully but did go on the injured list in September with elbow inflammation and missed the team's playoff's run.

Manager John Schneider said he was not aware of any discomfort. 

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