Trey Yesavage opened his press conference on Sunday with a heavy plea.
The Blue Jays rookie pitcher asked for an end to the abuse directed at his family and girlfriend ahead of his Game 2 start in the American League Championship Series against the Mariners, which will be played Monday.
Yesavage, who faced the Yankees in Game 2 of the ALDS and struck out 11 in 5 ⅓ no-hit innings, expressed disappointment in the online harassment his loved ones faced following his postseason success.
“Living in this world where there are so many different opinions and feelings that result in a lot of hate, it is sad to see people close to me being attacked because of my performance on the field,” Yesavage told the media in Toronto on Sunday.
“These people have done nothing to warrant negativity about my actions, whether it be my parents, my brothers, my girlfriend or family. It’s just really sad. I know I have the platform to address it, so I am. I hope people can realize that those individuals have nothing to do with what happens on the field or anything.”
“If you have a problem, I’m a man,” Yesavage continued. “I can accept whatever opinions someone has about me or my life. So I just wanted to put that out there.”
He emphasized that his family members have done nothing to deserve such negativity.
A first-round draft pick in 2024, Yesavage made just three regular-season MLB starts in his career before taking the mound for Game 2 of the ALDS, which was his breakout performance.
During these starts, Yesavage produced a 3.21 ERA and struck out 16 batters in 14 innings.
Yesavage, 22, takes the ball in Game 1 of the ALCS on Sunday.
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