How Three Blue Jays Pitchers Coming Back from the IL Affect the 2026 Pitching Staff
Things might finally be looking up for the Blue Jays as they begin reconstructing their pitching staff. As expected, Trey Yesavage was the first to return to the mound and made his season debut against the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday, April 28th. The rookie pitched five and one-third innings to record a 3-0 win for his team. During the win, the 22-year-old allowed just four hits and struck out three Boston batters. With Yesavage being announced as added back to the rotation, Eric Lauer was the first pitcher to be bumped to the bullpen. Lauer was never used as a reliever, however, because starter Max Scherzer returned to the IL on Monday with right forearm tendinitis and left ankle inflammation. Lauer swiftly returned to his starting position in the game after Yesavage’s debut.
Next up to return to Toronto will be José Berríos. The righty discovered a right elbow stress fracture back in March when he was undergoing a routine MRI for the World Baseball Classic. Berrios made a rehab start for the Buffalo Bisons the same night Yesavage debuted. This was his third rehab start overall but his first for Triple-A. Unfortunately, he didn’t perform as well as the Blue Jays had hoped. The 31-year-old’s velocity was down from his previous rehab starts, and in four innings, he had five hits, five errors, two walks, two home runs, and only two strikeouts. Berrios will probably stay with Buffalo through a few more rotations until manager John Schneider is more confident in his performance. Whether the 31-year-old or Scherzer returns first, it’s safe to say Lauer will be sent to the bullpen again. Patrick Corbin, whom the Blue Jays signed for a one-year deal soon after Cody Ponce’s season-ending injury, will most likely be the second one removed from the starting rotation. They didn’t have Corbin in their lineup at the start of the season, so unless Toronto decides to include more than five starters, it makes sense to save him for any future injuries.
The last starter who was out at the beginning of the season was Shane Bieber. His right elbow inflammation means that he’s just now going through his own version of Spring Training. He is facing live hitters but not pitching full games yet. If the 30-year-old’s path follows his teammates’, he’ll pitch simulated minor league games before starting for the Low-A Dunedin Blue Jays in Florida, and then complete two or three starts with the Bisons before making his Major League return. Depending on the circumstances in late May, Bieber may bump Scherzer from his starting spot if he’s back by then. Kevin Gausman and Dylan Cease won’t be going anywhere if they continue to perform at the elite level they have been, and Scherzer’s 2026 ERA is 9.64, so it makes sense he’d be the next to go. Despite injuries, Toronto still has one of the best pitching staffs, and they will be loaded when fully healthy; it could be the best in the league. Hopefully, warmer weather and offseason rust gone mean that the Jays can focus their attention back on a World Series redemption.
