The Toronto Blue Jays have announced a roster change, activating right-handed pitcher Trey Yesavage and sending Chase Lee back to the Buffalo Bisons, their Triple-A affiliate.

Roster Adjustments

This move was anticipated, impacting both players and the team’s pitching rotation. Lee was recently with the major league club and showed potential in his limited appearances, including yesterday’s game.

However, the need for pitching depth and Yesavage’s return from rehabilitation led to the decision. The Blue Jays retain flexibility with Lee, who can be recalled up to five times without waivers, indicating he remains a valuable part of their future plans.

Yesavage’s Return and Performance

Yesavage’s return isn’t without concerns, as his performance during four rehabilitation starts wasn’t ideal. He allowed 15 hits and 10 earned runs across 12 innings, with 7 walks and 16 strikeouts.

Despite these numbers, the team is encouraged by the velocity of his fastball, which has returned to its previous season’s form. The month-long injury absence may benefit Yesavage by reducing pressure to accumulate a high innings total.

Past Performance

Yesavage had a strong playoff performance last year, posting a 3.48 ERA over 6 games (5 starts) with 27.2 innings pitched, 18 hits allowed, 2 home runs, 4 walks, and 17 strikeouts.

Offensive Concerns: Plate Discipline

Beyond the pitching change, analysis by Shi Davidi reveals the Blue Jays see fewer pitches per plate appearance than any other team in Major League Baseball.

Pitch Count and Strategy

While aggressive hitting can be effective, a lack of plate discipline can lead to quick outs and missed opportunities. The team needs to find a balance between aggression and selectivity.

The struggles of Davis Schneider, known for his plate discipline, highlight this issue. Despite seeing a high number of pitches, his offensive production has been underwhelming, indicating that simply seeing pitches isn’t enough.

Addressing plate discipline is critical for improving the Blue Jays’ overall offensive performance, requiring a more consistent and strategic approach at the plate.