Red Sox’s Payton Tolle, Blue Jays’ Trey Yesavage start in battle of top rookies

Two of MLB’s top rookie starters are set to clash in an AL East battle Tuesday night.

Yesavage, Toronto’s No. 1 prospect, doesn’t feel like much of a rookie anymore after his breakout performance in the 2025 postseason. The 22-year-old righty started 2025 in Single-A, working his way all the way up to the Majors in September. Then he recorded a 3.58 ERA in 27 2/3 playoff innings, including his historic 12-strikeout performance in Game 5 of the World Series.

Yesavage most recently threw 64 pitches with Triple-A Buffalo, earning him the OK to make his 2026 debut.

The Red Sox — who fired manager Alex Cora after a shaky start — have now won three straight, while the 12-16 Blue Jays could use a healthy Yesavage amid a rotation battered by injuries. Boston took Game 1 of the series, 5-0, behind Ranger Suarez’s eight innings and 10 punchouts.