Breaking down Blue Jays' projected rotation for 2026

Strikeout master: Dylan Cease

The Blue Jays made free-agent franchise history by signing Cease to a seven-year, $210M deal. Despite recording an ERA of 4.55 last season, he has a lot to offer the Blue Jays' rotation. Cease fits in perfectly with a rotation filled with durable pitchers. The 30-year-old has recorded more than 30 starts and more than 200 strikeouts in each of his last five seasons. 

Cease has also come close to winning the Cy Young award. In 2022, he finished second in Cy Young voting, and in 2024, he finished fourth. In 2025, despite his raised ERA, Cease still recorded a 33.4 whiff rate that ranked in the 95th percentile, according to Baseball Savant. 

Mr. Reliable: Kevin Gausman

Similar to Cease, Gausman has provided the Blue Jays with durability in the rotation. He marked a career-high last season, throwing 193 innings. Gausman also led the team in ERA (3.59) and WHIP 1.06. In 2023, he was also named a finalist in the Cy Young voting. 

Gausman can also be characterized by leadership and reliability. In 2025, he recorded a solid chase rate of 31.7, which ranked in the 85th percentile. 

This indicates that he generated more swings and misses and got batters to swing at more pitches outside of the strike zone. Gausman holds a dominant splitter in his pitching arsenal that produced a whiff rate of 38.6%.

The savage: Trey Yesavage

Yesavage is one of the biggest recent success stories with his impressive rise through the minors. He started 2025 playing in Single-A and then ended up earning a spot in the rotation and playing in the postseason.

The 22-year-old plays with an abundance of confidence and composure. Yesavage held a striking ERA of 3.12 across all four levels in the minors in 2025, pointing to his hard work and dedication to getting to the big leagues.  

Yesavage also recorded 11 strikeouts in game two of the ALDS, demonstrating his elite status as a rookie who can defy the odds. In his MLB debut, Yesavage made a strong presence by recording a whiff rate of 52.8%. This illustrated how he's capable of facing major league hitters. It will be exciting to see his dominance continue in the 2026 season. 

The journeyman: Cody Ponce

The Blue Jays signed Ponce to a three-year, $30M contract after he recorded a 17-1 record with a 1.89 ERA in 2024 with the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO). Ponce pitched in MLB with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2021, and he's also pitched in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). 

Ponce is a low-risk, high-reward pitcher who has boosted his velocity. Considering his experience, he is expected to elevate the Blue Jays' rotation. 

But due to his increased velocity in his arsenal, he could be utilized in a high-leverage relief role if needed, considering the depth in the rotation. The Blue Jays used this tactic last season with starters Eric Lauer, Yariel Rodriguez and Chris Bassitt. This makes Ponce a significant part of the Blue Jays roster, as he can contribute in numerous ways. 

La Makina: Jose Berrios

Berrios has been recognized as a workhorse. Despite having an off 2025 season that was influenced by a bicep injury and elbow inflammation, he is associated with resilience. 

He has bounced back from downfalls in the past and is ready to prove himself in 2026. The two-time All-Star recorded back-to-back seasons with an ERA under four. His ERA in 2023 was 3.65, and in 2024, it was 3.60. 

Berrios has earned the Opening Day nod five times in his career, demonstrating his status as an ace. His best pitch is his curveball, as it produces swings and misses. But Berrios also has a deep arsenal, which provides unpredictability to opponents.