Springer Rehabs and Yesavage Debuts in Bisons Win

By: Brian Frank

It was a big night at Sahlen Field on Thursday, as four-time American League All-Star George Springer and Toronto's number one rated prospect, Trey Yesavage, were both in action for the Herd against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. Springer has been in concussion protocol since being hit in the head with a pitch on July 28. The two-time silver slugger and 2017 World Series MVP was the Bisons designated hitter on Thursday. Yesavage was recently promoted from Double-A New Hampshire and started on the mound for the Herd in his Triple-A debut.

Springer checked every box on his rehabilitation list—both at the plate and on the basepaths. After popping out to shallow right field in the first inning, he walked in the fourth inning – and then sprinted from first to third on a single by RJ Schreck, beating the throw to third with a headfirst dive.

“I’m just glad I can do it,” Springer said. "That’s my style of game. I got told that if I had a chance to do it, I need to make sure I do it. It was a good spot to do it, and I felt good about it. I felt good sliding headfirst.”

Springer went 1-for-2 with a double and a walk. Photo Credit: Brian Frank, The Herd Chronicles.

In his third and final at-bat in the fifth inning, Springer lined a ball into the left field corner for a double. The hit came in the midst of a four-run rally that helped propel Buffalo to a 10-5 victory.

“Just to be able to see the ball, make sure I’m swinging at the right stuff in the zone, and being able to tell the pitch and location—all that good stuff,” he said. “For me it was a great day. I was able to get some good swings off. I was able to kind of feel like I was who I am as a player. I was able to run and all that good stuff. I would say it was a good day.”

The outfielder is looking forward to rejoining the big-league club again soon.  

“These guys play hard every day,” Springer said of the Blue Jays. “They’re in every single game. It sucks to not be there and to watch it from afar because I love those boys. But to see them play the way they did—and are—it means a lot to me. I hope I can get back to them as fast as I can.”

Toronto has used a deep roster, filled with former Bisons, to propel themselves to the top of the American League. They currently have the best record in the A.L. and lead MLB in batting average while striking out the least of any team.

“Guys are together,” Springer said. “Everyone is pulling for one another. It’s about the name on the front, not the name on the back. I think anytime you get a clubhouse full of guys that are going in that direction, staff included, then the guys who have been up and the guys we just got are all on the same page. I think that’s special. You never know how it will end up, but I just think us as a team have the name on the front before the name on the back.”

Yesavage, who was Toronto’s number one draft pick last season, began this year at Low-A Dunedin and has made the climb all the way to the top level of minor league baseball. His night didn’t quite go as planned, as his pitch count caused him to be taken out after just 1 2/3 innings in which he allowed two runs on one hit and four walks.

“I just didn’t have my command tonight,” Yesavage said. “The nerves always get the best of me. It was my first outing with a new team. But I know I’m the same guy and I’ll be better for it next week.”

Yesavage has 137 strikeouts this season. Photo Credit: Brian Frank, The Herd Chronicles

However, even in the short outing, Yesavage, the 26th ranked prospect in all of baseball, showed flashes of what’s made him so highly regarded. He fanned three batters, giving him an incredible 137 strikeouts in 82 1/3 innings pitched across four levels of the minor leagues this season.

“It’s been an awesome ride,” Yesavage said. “A lot of packing up, a lot of unpacking. Fourth team this year, but it’s been a great time.”

The appearance by Springer and Yesavage came just one day after another high-profile rehab appearance for the Herd by 2022 A.L. All-Star Alek Manoah. Buffalo’s opponent, Lehigh Valley have also had Phillies third baseman and 2024 N.L. All-Star Alec Bohm rehabbing in their lineup, and had 2018 N.L. All-Star Aaron Nola start for them on Tuesday night.

On Friday night, Sahlen Field will have yet another prominent rehab appearance, when 2020 Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber makes his third start for the Bisons and second at Sahlen Field—and potentially another appearance by Springer.

“We’re going to see what they say,” Springer said on the possibility of playing the outfield for Buffalo on Friday. “I’m just going to do what I’m told. I understand that there’s a plan and a process that has to be followed. So, whatever they say I’ll do.”