Blue Jays can't escape injury purgatory as another member of the rotation hits the IL

"Less than 24 hours after José Berrios was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his throwing elbow - an injury which will almost certainly land him on the IL - the Blue Jays announced that rookie phenom and postseason hero Trey Yesavage would be joining the laundry list of starting pitchers on the injured list."

"Including Berrios, Yesavage marks the fourth member of the starting rotation that has gone down this spring. Bowden Francis will miss the entire season with Tommy John surgery, while Shane Bieber is tending to some shoulder and arm fatigue that could hold him out for the season's first month."

"Keegan Matheson more or less confirmed (via X) that Eric Lauer will step into Yesavage's vacated rotation spot, which effectively means that Cody Ponce will become the team's No. 4 starter until one of the aforementioned pitchers makes their return form injury."

The Toronto Blue Jays' starting rotation has been decimated by injuries heading into the 2026 season. José Berrios suffered a stress fracture in his throwing elbow requiring IL placement, while rookie Trey Yesavage was diagnosed with a right shoulder impingement. Bowden Francis will miss the entire season following Tommy John surgery, and Shane Bieber faces shoulder and arm fatigue that may sideline him for the season's first month. These cascading injuries force Eric Lauer into the rotation and Cody Ponce into the No. 4 starter role. The team's depth has been pushed to critical levels before Opening Day, with Max Scherzer's return providing some relief to the depleted pitching staff.

Read at Jays Journal