Springer helps Jays sweep before Yesavage debut

Another big outing from the Toronto Blue Jays' oldest player, George Springer, has set the stage for the newest in Trey Yesavage.

TORONTO – Another big outing from the Toronto Blue Jays’ oldest player, George Springer, has set the stage for the newest in Trey Yesavage.

Before throttling the Baltimore Orioles 11-2 to sweep the three-game weekend series on Sunday, the Blue Jays announced the 22-year-old Yesavage will make his debut in Tampa Bay against the Rays on Monday.

Yesavage watched from the dugout as the 35-year-old Springer smacked a homer and two doubles for two more RBIs in his remarkable comeback season.

“I still can’t believe he didn’t make the all-star team,” Toronto manager John Schneider said. “His numbers speak for themselves.”

Springer smashed his team-leading 29th homer and hit the 75-RBI mark. His .949 OPS trails only New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (1.120) and Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Shohei Ohtani (1.006) in Major League Baseball.

Springer also ranks third in on-base percentage and sixth with a .303 batting average.

“We needed George to rebound,” Schneider added. “This is arguably one of the best seasons in his career. You can’t really say much else than that.

“But he’s the straw that stirs the drink. When he gets on base and hits the ball the way he’s hitting it and runs the bases the way he runs them, it rubs off on everybody.”