What happened: Toronto Blue Jays pitchers Jose Berrios and Trey Yesavage will start the 2026 season on the injured list. Berrios has a stress fracture in his right elbow but is symptom-free and expected to resume throwing soon. Yesavage is dealing with shoulder discomfort after a slow spring buildup.
Why it matters: These injuries, combined with Shane Bieber also sidelined, force the Jays to rely on depth like Eric Lauer in a rotation headlined by Gausman, Cease and Scherzer. It raises concerns for early-season performance and could shift betting lines for team wins and individual game totals. Jays' pitching depth has been a historical weakness despite recent additions.
By the numbers: Projected rotation: Gausman, Cease, Scherzer, Ponce, Lauer. Affected prop: Yesavage 15 IP (lean under).
What to watch: Monitor return timelines for Berrios and Yesavage, and performance of fill-in starters in Opening Day lineup.