Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images

Blue Jays Make Trey Yesavage, Kevin Gausman Decisions Before Game 4 Against Yankees

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Josh Valdez | Last updated Oct 8, 2025 5:44 PM ET

The Toronto Blue Jays have already had a rollercoaster starting pitching experience through just three games in the MLB Playoffs. Right-handers Kevin Gausman and Trey Yesavage combined for one run allowed over 11 innings in the first two AL Division Series games against the New York Yankees, but fellow righty Shane Bieber coughed up three runs (two earned) in just 2.2 frames during Tuesday's Game 3.

The Blue Jays won Game 1 10-1 and Game 2 13-7, both at home. However, the Yankees bounced back with a 9-6 win at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, forcing a Game 4 in the Bronx on Wednesday.

Reliever Louis Varland will start in what will be a "bullpen game" for Toronto, via MLB.com's Keegan Matheson. 41-year-old starter Max Scherzer isn't on the AL Division Series roster after recording a 10.20 ERA in September, while fellow veterans Chris Bassitt and Jose Berrios are out with back and elbow injuries, respectively (per MLB.com). That leaves Gausman, Yesavage, and Bieber as the Blue Jays' only true starters.

However, Gausman and/or Yesavage could come out of the bullpen on Wednesday, via Matheson.

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Kevin Gausman (34) Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

"Kevin Gausman will throw a 'modified bullpen' today and it would have to be a 'very unique' spot for him to pitch in relief, but Yesavage is likelier," he reported.

Toronto used the majority of its bullpen on Tuesday, which allowed six runs (five earned) over 6.1 innings. Varland as well as fellow relievers Mason Fluharty, Braydon Fisher, Brendon Little, Yariel Rodriguez, and Tommy Nance all pitched, and Little was the only one who threw fewer than 13 pitches.

Varland was charged with the loss after allowing a game-tying three-run homer to Yankees captain Aaron Judge in the fourth and a go-ahead solo shot to second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. that put New York up 7-6 in the fifth.

News: Trey Yesavage will be in the #BlueJays’ bullpen tonight.

Kevin Gausman will throw a “modified bullpen” today and it would have to be a “very unique” spot for him to pitch in relief, but Yesavage is likelier.
— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) October 8, 2025

Yankees Have Pitching Advantage on Wednesday

Toronto's lack of rotation depth puts it in a challenging situation on Wednesday as it looks to avoid going back home for a winner-take-all Game 5 on Friday. The club must depend on a bullpen that just got shelled while New York starts rookie phenom Cam Schlittler, who threw eight scoreless innings in Game 3 of the AL Wild Card Series against the Boston Red Sox in his previous start.

Using Yesavage and/or Gausman as relievers on Wednesday could stabilize the game for the Blue Jays, but it could also backfire if they lose, as both players would be vital for a potential Game 5. Using one or both of them on Wednesday would disrupt their rest schedules for Friday, as starters typically take four days off between outings. Three days is also normal for the postseason, but anything less is challenging.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: