Yesavage, Blue Jays Rookie, to Pitch in ALCS Game 2

Blue Jays’ Trey Yesavage to Start Game 2 of Championship Series

The Blue Jays rookie, Trey Yesavage, will be the starting pitcher for Game 2 of the American League Championship Series, the team announced this Sunday. The news was announced before Game 1 at the Rogers Centre. Yesavage took the opportunity to address the media and began his press conference with a spontaneous statement, denouncing the attacks and hatred that his loved ones have recently received on social media.

“I want to start by saying something,” Yesavage said. “Living in this world where there are so many different opinions and feelings, which results in a lot of hate, it’s sad to see people close to me being attacked for my performances on the field. These people have done nothing to deserve the negativity for my actions, whether it be my parents, my siblings, my girlfriend, my family. It’s really sad.”

Trey Yesavage

Yesavage declined to provide further details about the situation. This is the second time a rookie starting pitcher has reported attacks on social media during this postseason. Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler said Red Sox fans “crossed the line” by attacking his family before his start against Boston in Game 3 of the wild-card series.

“I know I have the platform to address it, so I do it,” Yesavage said. “I hope people realize that those people have nothing to do with what happens on the field. If you have a problem, I’m a man; I can accept any opinion anyone has about me or my life. So I just wanted to make that clear.”

Trey Yesavage

Game 2 will be Yesavage’s fifth start in his Major League career. His fourth was a historic performance against the Yankees in Game 2 of the American League Division Series, where he pitched 5 and a third innings without hits, with 11 strikeouts. Mariners manager Dan Wilson said his team has not yet decided on the starter for Game 2, although Logan Gilbert is the most likely option. Seattle used Gilbert and fellow starter Luis Castillo in their 15-inning victory over the Tigers on Friday night. Gilbert threw 34 pitches in two innings after allowing one run in six innings in Game 3 on Tuesday.