TORONTO – Trey Yesavage made multiple debuts in his rookie season with the Toronto Blue Jays. You can add “bait” to the list.
Yesavage and Blue Jays manager John Schneider acknowledged that the freshman pitcher was used as a distraction in the clinching Game 4 of the American League Division Series, when Toronto knocked the New York Yankees out of the playoffs 5-2.
Yesavage and fellow starting pitcher Kevin Gausman approached the visiting bullpen in the middle of the game, implying they could come in as relievers to prevent any New York comeback.
“When I walked out there, I tried not to smile. I tried to keep a low profile,” Yesavage said Sunday before Game 1 of the AL Championship Series against the Seattle Mariners.
“I was told that you guys (reporters) were going to find out I was available that day, but that wasn't really the case. It was just a decoy.”
Related videos
Schneider confirmed Sunday that Gausman could perform at Yankee Stadium if necessary, but Yesavage could not.
Get the latest national news
To stay on top of news affecting Canada and the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you as they happen.
It continued to be an interesting experience for the 22-year-old Yesavage, who began the season with the Dunedin Blue Jays of the Florida Comprehensive League and progressed through four levels of Toronto's minor leagues before making his major league debut on Sept. 15.
Yesavage had a win in three regular-season starts for the Blue Jays, posting 16 strikeouts in 14 innings and a 3.21 earned run average. He was stellar in his postseason debut on October 5, striking out 11 Yankees in 5 1/3 hitless innings as Toronto beat New York 13-7.
Schneider said Yesavage's dominant performance made the trick even worth trying.
“I don't know if it affected anything that New York was going to do, but you never know where the game is going to go,” Schneider said after playfully apologizing to reporters for misleading them.
“So it was kind of taking into account what (Yesavage) did in the second game and adding a little theatricality to it all.”
Yesavage said he enjoyed sitting in the big league bullpen when Toronto sent seven relievers to the mound to beat the Yankees to advance to the ALCS.
“I would say it was a little more intense than being on the bench, just because the guys in the bullpen were flying and getting hot every inning,” Yesavage said. “I have never heard such a loud telephone in my life, the one ringing down there.
“It was a little different from what I was used to, but it was a cool experience.”
Schneider will really put the ball in Yesavage's hand on Monday in Game 2 against the Mariners. Seattle manager Dan Wilson did not name a starter until after Game 1.
“I'm very excited. I think we all are,” Blue Jays third baseman Addison Barger said. “He’s special because he can do what he did in the regular season and the Division Series.
“It’s unreal, but he was able to do it and it was amazing to watch and we’re really glad we have him.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 12, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
