The Toronto Blue Jays entered play on Monday trailing the Cleveland Guardians by one game in the wild card race.
The Blue Jays have to start stacking wins and hoping the Guardians start losing some more. Winning may be about to get easier for the Blue Jays, as Trey Yesavage nears a return. According to Sportsnet's Shi Davidi, Yesavage is set to throw between 40 and 45 pitches in a rehab start on Tuesday in Triple-A.
According to Sportsnet's Hazel Mae, John Schneider said Yesavage could return next week.
"Most likely Monday," Schneider told Mae.
That would line Yesavage up to face the Baltimore Orioles. The Orioles are still alive in the wild card race for now, but a lot can change in a week. The Blue Jays have a little more margin for error than the Orioles right now, but getting Yesavage back sets them up to really make some noise in the final week of the regular season. Dylan Cease, Jose Soriano and Yesavage are not only a trio that could help them get into the dance, but one that can cause some problems in October for other teams.
Yesavage has a 3.65 ERA this season and went on the injured list with a knee issue. He may not be built up enough to give the Blue Jays six innings like a traditional starter, but he could certainly start with a piggyback or serve in a bulk pitching role.