After experiencing some right elbow discomfort in a live batting practice last week, with it being reported that surgery was still on the table by Blue Jays reporter, Arden Zwelling, it was confirmed on Wednesday that Chay Yeager would need surgery on his UCL, meaning he will miss the rest of the season.

The 25-year-old pitcher was invited to spring training by the Toronto Blue Jays last month, and the prospect was sidelined a little over a month later. 

Yeager was drafted in the 12th round of the MLB June Amateur Draft by the organization in 2023 and has also made some appearances for the Blue Jays in 2024.

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In the minor leagues last season, the pitcher finished with a 5-4 record, primarily coming out of the bullpen, and posted a 2.75 ERA with eight save opportunities after appearing with the Vancouver Canadians and New Hampshire Fisher Cats.

There is no guarantee that Yeager would have made the opening-day roster for Toronto. Still, it would have been a great opportunity for the relief pitcher to get some reps in spring training to take his game to the next level, potentially. However, he faces a major setback and will miss an important year of his career.

On the bright side, Yeager is still young and now has the opportunity to come back stronger than ever, and it’s clear he has the skill set necessary to succeed in the league. There is no doubt he can easily get back to that level when he is cleared, especially given his multiple call-ups at a young age.

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