The Toronto Blue Jays are approaching Trey Yesavage’s Spring Training participation with caution after the right-hander exceeded his previous innings workload last season. Following a strong MLB debut last September and significant contributions during the postseason, the team has opted to postpone Yesavage’s start in Spring Training by another week as they carefully oversee his workload increase.
Yesavage impressed during his first major league season by posting a 3.21 ERA and recording 16 strikeouts over 14 regular-season innings. Including minor league and postseason appearances, he pitched a total of 139.2 innings last year—substantially higher than the 93.1 innings he threw in 2024. This jump in innings has prompted the Blue Jays to be strategic in managing his pitching schedule going forward.
Toronto’s manager, John Schneider, explained the reasoning behind this measured approach.
“It’s a little slower, obviously, just because he went from having the probably longest off-season possible after he gets drafted to the shortest one possible after his first full year,”
Schneider said.
“Trying to be strategic. Looking at the broad picture, I think it would be unrealistic to say, all right, ‘Trey, first year in the big leagues, here’s your 32 starts and your 200 innings.’ We’re trying to stay aware of that. And there are probably going to be some times where you have to hone him in a little bit and if you can manoeuvre the rotation a little bit, yeah. But he’s on a little bit of a different ramp up. He’s thrown a live. He threw a side today. He’s probably going to throw another live even before games. We just want to be really mindful with how we’re getting him ready.”
John Schneider, Blue Jays Manager
Francisco Lindor’s Recovery and Prospects for Opening Day
Meanwhile, Francisco Lindor, the New York Mets shortstop, is progressing through recovery after undergoing surgery to repair his left hamate bone this offseason. The procedure has delayed his return to baseball activities during Spring Training, as he has yet to be cleared for on-field workouts.
During this period, Lindor has taken advantage of the downtime to familiarize himself with new teammates and integrate within the Mets organization, fostering team chemistry ahead of the upcoming season.
The Mets have not expressed concerns regarding Lindor’s availability for Opening Day next month, leaving optimism around his timely return despite the setback.
Potential Impact on Team Strategies and Upcoming Season
The cautious handling of Trey Yesavage’s innings is a reflection of the Blue Jays’ long-term approach to protecting their young pitching talent after a demanding rookie year. This strategy aims to preserve Yesavage’s effectiveness throughout the season and reduce the risk of injury from premature overuse.
Francisco Lindor’s injury and recovery timeline remain critical to the Mets’ roster plans, as his presence at shortstop will influence their competitiveness early in the season. Monitoring his progress closely over the next weeks will be vital to confirm his readiness for regular play.
Both players’ situations underscore the delicate balance teams face in managing young stars’ health and performance expectations, especially as MLB approaches a new season filled with anticipation and uncertainty.
Trey Yesavage won't pitch in a spring game until next week as Blue Jays manage his buildup after he totalled 139.2 innings last year, after 93.1 in 2024. John Schneider explains their approach with him below: pic.twitter.com/mKJoQC6aYo
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) February 24, 2026
https://twitter.com/MLBNetworkRadio/status/2026429509050753427
