Members of the Toronto Blue Jays front office figure to be making their way over the Peace Bridge several times this week.
Alek Manoah, top prospect Trey Yesavage and Shane Bieber are scheduled to pitch Wednesday through Friday, respectively, for the triple-A Buffalo Bisons against the visiting Lehigh Valley IronPigs at Sahlen Field.
In addition, Blue Jays manager John Schenider said after Tuesday's win over the Chicago Cubs that the hope is to get outfielder George Springer in some triple-A rehab games over the next 24-48 hours. Springer has been sidelined since being hit in the head by a pitch on July 28. He was placed on the seven-day concussion injured list on Aug. 1.
Manoah, coming back from Tommy John surgery last year, will be making his fourth rehab start of the season Wednesday at 1:05 p.m. ET / 10:05 a.m. PT. He is scheduled to throw around 70-75 pitches against the Philadelphia Phillies' top farm club.
The 2022 All-Star allowed two runs on five hits in three innings last time out for double-A New Hampshire.
The last time Manoah got the ball for Buffalo last April, he struck out 12 Indianapolis batters over six innings, allowing just a run on two hits in a duel with current Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes.
Yesavage will make his triple-A debut Thursday at 6:35 p.m. ET / 3:35 p.m. PT.
The righty is 5-1 with a 3.01 ERA and 134 strikeouts while allowing only 45 hits in 80.2 innings of work in the minors. The Blue Jays are open to the possibility of Yesavage joining the major-league club for the playoff push or the post-season if he continues to show well.
Bieber, also coming back from Tommy John surgery, makes his third rehab start with the Bisons on Friday at 6:35 p.m. ET / 3:35 p.m. PT. The Blue Jays are hoping he throws 80-85 pitches.
Acquired from the Cleveland Guardians at the trade deadline, the 2020 Cy Young winner has allowed four runs and nine hits while striking out 12 in 10.2 innings with Buffalo in his two starts.
The AL East-leading Blue Jays likely will have to make a decision soon on whether to expand their current five-man rotation.
