Trey Yesavage is now playing catch from up to 90 feet as his knee rehab keeps building.
He's been throwing between 75 and 90 feet in Florida, real progress since resuming activity after his meniscus surgery.
That range is a meaningful step up from basic flat-ground work. It signals his arm and lower half are handling more stress without setbacks.
Yesavage remains focused on getting back before the season ends, with hopes of being a factor for Toronto again in October.
There's still no firm return date attached to this stage of his recovery.
The build-up from here typically includes longer throwing distances, then a mound session, before any real talk of a rehab assignment begins.
Every step without a setback keeps that late-season target realistic instead of aspirational.
Why the rotation plan stays unchanged despite Bieber's IL move
Toronto plans to stick with a four-man rotation for now, even after placing Shane Bieber on the IL yesterday with right teres major inflammation.
That's a notable decision given how thin the pitching staff has looked at points this season.
Sticking to four starters likely means leaning harder on the bullpen to cover extra innings until either Bieber or Yesavage is ready to return.
It's a real gamble during a stretch where the Blue Jays are chasing a wild-card spot with very little margin for error.
If Yesavage's throwing program keeps progressing on schedule, he becomes a real option to help stabilize that rotation before Bieber comes back.
Until then, Toronto is banking on its current four to hold the line, with a five-man group waiting in the wings depending on how these next few weeks of rehab go.
Should the Blue Jays stick with a four-man rotation or call up a fifth starter right now?
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