Manager John Schneider said during an appearance on MLB Network that Yesavage “will definitely be part of” the Blue Jays’ game plan for Game 7 of the World Series (8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+).
Yesavage told reporters after Game 6 that he would be available to pitch out of the bullpen in Game 7.
“We kind of have targeted spots in the lineup that we want him to face, and you got to kind of see when that is. It could be early, it could be late,” Schneider told reporters pre-game. “I think it’s cool that he’s a little bit versed in it. Obviously, different stage tonight than it is pitching in triple-A, but I think he’s shown he can handle it, so he’ll be ready to go.”
Yesavage made three appearances out of the bullpen in the minor-leagues this season before joining the Blue Jays as the team ensured he would be ready for any role if he were to be promoted.
“I’m going to try to give him a clean inning. I’m not sure it’s going to happen, with anyone really tonight, but that would be ideal,” Schneider said. ” I think whenever a guy is used to starting an inning, you kind of want to do that with him, but I think he understands that that may not happen tonight.
Schneider said following Game 6 that Shane Bieber and Yesavage will be sitting out in the left field bullpen waiting for the phone to ring. Yesavage will likely get a shorter appearance since he is two days removed from his brilliant Game 5 performance, where he had 12 strikeouts and no walks in seven innings.
In five post-season games, the 22-year-old has a 3-1 record with a 3.46 ERA and 39 strikeouts through 26 innings.
Max Scherzer will get the ball for the final game of the post-season, becoming the only living pitcher to start a winner-take-all World Series Game 7 for a second time. He will also be the first man to pitch in nine winner-take-all games, according to MLB’s Sarah Langs.
