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Trey Yesavage of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning in Game 1 of the World Series at Rogers Centre.Mark Blinch/Getty Images
The Toronto Blue Jays will send rookie right-hander Trey Yesavage to the mound in Game 5 on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium, his second start of the World Series.
The 22-year-old who made a remarkable ascension through the minor leagues to the majors this season will get his fifth start of the postseason, and his second start of the World Series.
Yet this will be the first road start of the playoffs for Yesavage – the youngest player in this year’s World Series – and it comes with pressure, inside iconic Dodger Stadium.
“It’s massive. Being a rookie that’s 22 years old and having that weight put on your shoulders, it’s a big deal,” said Yesavage. “But everyone in this clubhouse has my back.”
Yesavage is 2-1 in his four postseason starts so far, with a 4.26 ERA. In 19 innings pitched so far, he has allowed 14 hits, nine runs, walked 10 and struck out 27. He’s enjoyed the comforts of Rogers Centre, including standing ovations from the Canadian fans.
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“With each passing day here, he gets more comfortable,” said Jays manager John Schneider. “I have no reservations about him pitching on the road.”
He allowed four hits and two runs over four innings while striking out five in Toronto’s 11-4 win over the Dodgers in Game 1. He struck out his first batter in that game, two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani.
“Each day I learn something new,” said Yesavage. “I take something away from my game or someone else’s game. So just stacking all those days up this entire season has led me to this point.”
The Jays drafted the right-hander from Pottstown, Penn., with the distinctive over-the-top release point 20th overall in the 2024 MLB draft. He began his quick ascent through the minor leagues.
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Yesavage works out at Dodger Stadium on Sunday in Los Angeles.Katharine Lotze/Getty Images
The 6-foot-4, 225-pounder pitched this season in Single-A Dunedin, with the High-A Vancouver Canadians, the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats, and the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.
He keeps many of his belongings in his Toyota Tundra, since he’s been taking just his essentials along as he moves from hotel-to-hotel in this postseason. Even while in Toronto, he’s staying in a hotel for now.
“You should see my truck right now,” said Yesavage earlier in the series. “It looks like a mobile home.”
Yesavage has quickly become a fixture of the Jays, despite just being called up to the big league club in September.
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He made just three starts with the Jays before the postseason began, but quickly earned a spot in the rotation. He said several Jays pitchers have taken him under their respective wings, such as Kevin Gausman, Max Scherzer, Chris Bassitt, and Shane Bieber.
Even with a world of data at his fingertips, the pitcher who relies on a four-seam fastball, a slider and a splitter likes to keep it simple.
“I’m pretty meat and potatoes with it. Just keep it basic,” said Yesavage earlier in the series. “I don’t want to be out there on the mound thinking too much.”
He says watching his team battle in an epic 18-inning Game 3 was quite an experience. He isn’t daunted by the loud atmosphere inside the home of the defending champion Dodgers.
“We play in front of big crowds too, so we’re ready,” said Yesavage. “Their fans here are pretty good. They’re into it the entire game, so it should be a loud environment.”
