Blue Jays' Yesavage to make season debut Tuesday; Lukes lands on IL

Toronto Blue Jays top prospect Trey Yesavage, who broke out during the team's World Series run last October, will come off the injured list and make his season debut Tuesday against the Boston Red Sox, manager John Schneider confirmed to Sportsnet's Shi Davidi.

Yesavage will take Eric Lauer's spot in the rotation, Schneider said. Lauer is being moved to the bullpen. The roster move will officially be made prior to Tuesday's game.

The Blue Jays are also adjusting the order of their rotation to accomodate Yesavage's return. Patrick Corbin will now start Sunday's season finale against the Cleveland Guardians, while Dylan Cease will face the Boston Red Sox on Monday, per Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith.

Yesavage, Toronto's first-round pick in 2024, rocketed through the organization last year, pitching at five levels. He debuted in the majors in September, making three regular-season starts and another six postseason appearances. He set a World Series rookie record with 12 strikeouts in Game 5 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

However, the 22-year-old began his official rookie season on the IL after sustaining a shoulder impingement during spring training. He made four minor-league rehab starts earlier in April before being deemed ready to return.

Yesavage's return will boost a Blue Jays rotation that's been decimated by injuries in the early stages of 2026. Veterans José Berríos and Shane Bieber also began their seasons on the IL, while Bowden Francis is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery and Cody Ponce tore his ACL in his season debut.

Toronto also placed outfielder Nathan Lukes on the 10-day IL with a left hamstring strain prior to Saturday's game and selected outfield prospect Yohendrick Pinango from Triple-A Buffalo. To make room for Pinango on the 40-man roster, reliever Yimi García was moved to the 60-day IL.

Lukes left Friday's game against the Cleveland Guardians with left hamstring discomfort after hitting a double in the first inning. The 31-year-old becomes the fifth Blue Jays position player and 12th player overall (including Yesavage) currently on the IL.

Pinango, 23, is ranked as the Blue Jays' No. 10 prospect by MLB.com. The Venezuela native earned the promotion by hitting .288/.370/.488 with three homers and 13 RBIs over 22 games in Triple-A this year.