Yesavage unable to soften injury news as Jays suffer 8-2 setback to Marlins

TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays received some unwelcome injury news regarding starting pitcher Dylan Cease and all-star slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. before their series opener against the Miami Marlins on Monday.

And then they wasted a solid effort from young starter Trey Yesavage, dropping an 8-2 decision to the Florida visitors.

Despite Yesavage’s career-high 6 2/3 innings performance, Toronto lost its second straight and the Marlins (26-29) won their season-high fourth in a row.

Before the roof was opened for the game for the first time this season, the Blue Jays revealed that Cease had been placed on the 15-day injured list with a left hamstring strain, and that Guerrero was listed day-to-day with a sore left elbow after being plunked on Sunday by a pitch.

Guerrero didn’t play for the first time this season. But he did venture into the on-deck circle in the seventh inning, ready to go if called upon.

Yesavage (2-2) gave the Blue Jays a shot at overcoming the sombre pre-game mood for the home side. But a couple of sloppy plays from rookie left-fielder Yohendrick Pinango allowed the game to get out of hand with a Marlins’ three-run sixth inning.

“I thought Trey was fantastic,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. “I thought he made one mistake and that the fastball to (Canadian Owen) Caissie for the (fifth-inning) double. (Yesavage) was sticking the heater down, and his secondary stuff was good.”

The Blue Jays starter surrendered five runs on five hits with two walks and six strikeouts. This was his first loss at home. In his first nine career starts, Yesavage has posted a 2.54 ERA, the fifth best in club history behind Kelvim Escobar (2.21), Jeff Musselman (2.33), Alek Manoah (2.47) and Marcus Stroman (2.50).

“I thought everything was on for the most part,” said Yesavage, who was then asked for his thoughts on the Cease news. “It stinks. He’s a big part of the rotation. I can’t wait for when he returns.”

Outfielder Nathan Lukes made an impact in his return from a 28-game absence due to a hamstring strain. He singled in his first three at-bats, then a high pitch grazed his helmet for a fourth time on base before striking out in his final at-bat.

“I think he picked up where he left off,” Schneider said, referring to Lukes’ 11-for-21 run before he got hurt.
“It’s great to have him back. Just the quality at-bats. I mean, every single one was quality, even the strikeout. He’s very, very consistent.”

With Cease out, the Blue Jays promoted 30-year-old Tanner Andrews from triple-A Buffalo. He pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning. Also, Davis Schneider was sent to Buffalo with Lukes being activated.

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The Blue Jays announced after the game that reliever Braydon Fisher will be employed as an opener for the middle game of their series against Miami on Tuesday. Righty Sandy Alcantara (3-3) will start for the Marlins.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 25, 2026.

Tim Wharnsby, The Canadian Press