Yesavage Rehabs with Herd

By: Brian Frank

The Blue Jays could soon be getting a much-needed boost to their injury-riddled starting rotation. Trey Yesavage, one of last season's postseason heroes, appears to be on the verge of rejoining the defending American League champions.

Yesavage, coming back from a left knee injury he suffered on August 4 in Houston, made a rehab start for the Bisons on Tuesday night at Sahlen Field against the Rochester Red Wings.

The outing wasn't quite as lengthy as the 23-year-old hurler had hoped, but it was enough for him to feel as though he's ready to head back to Toronto. Aiming for 45 pitches and three innings, Yesavage lasted only 2/3 of an inning, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits and a walk. He fired 34 pitches, 23 for strikes. Despite not lasting as long as he'd hoped, it was long enough for the right-hander to test out his knee and declare himself healthy.

"I felt great," he said. "I felt like nothing ever happened, honestly."

Three of the five batters he faced worked the count full, contributing to his high pitch count.

"I got a lot of pitches in," he said. "A lot of tough at-bats. They made me grind, so I'm sure that will help me here in the future."

Although his slider wasn't quite where he wanted it at the outset, he was eventually satisfied with all three of his pitches.

"I was very happy with the heater, very happy with the splitter, and in the back half of the inning, the slider I felt was good as well," he said.

While Yesavage has been out, the Blue Jays have battled their way back into the playoff picture, entering Tuesday evening just one game out of the final American League wild-card spot.

"These guys have a lot of fight in them," he said. "The season's winding down, but it doesn't mean we're done. Everyone in that clubhouse wants to win and push into October."

Yesavage's start for Buffalo came exactly one year to the day of his major-league debut, after he rocketed through the Blue Jays’ minor-league system last season, including six pitching appearances for the Bisons. His debut preceded the Blue Jays' magical run to the World Series.

"Just kind of getting thrown up there into the fire," he said when asked whether there are any similarities between his situation this season compared to last year. "It's either sink or swim. So, we'll see."

Now the Boyertown, Pennsylvania, native is confident he can rejoin the big-league team and contribute to their playoff push.

"I'm confident that I can go up there and be competitive and have success and give them everything I've got. I'm just looking forward to what's next and just taking it day by day," he said.