Kike Hernández highlights Trey Yesavage’s unique delivery as unmatched in WS pregame drills

Trey Yesavage was fast-tracked into the Toronto Blue Jays starting rotation in September this year, rising four levels of the organization. He was kept in the rotation during their playoff run and impressed with a winning decision in each of the three series Toronto played.

Perhaps the most important of those wins came in Game 5 of the World Series when he pitched 7.0 innings, earning one run on 3 hits and 0 walks with 12 strikeouts. The run he earned came from Dodgers utility man Kike Hernandez's solo homer in the third inning.

The Dodgers had been preparing for Yesavage after his high 7.09 feet pitching release troubled both the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners lineups in the previous American League Division and Championship Series.

Hernandez, on “Baseball and Coffee” with Adam Ottavino podcast's episode on Nov. 21, said he was dealing with an elbow injury and couldn't take live batting practice before the World Series. He had to use a Trajekt Arc, a specialised machine that can replicate a pitcher's delivery and pitching arsenal.

But the unique nature of Yesavage's delivery made him impossible to mimic.

"[I said] 'I want to face Yesavage' because we thought Yesavage was starting Game 1. We started moving the Trajekt, and sure enough, the Trajekt doesn’t even get as high as his release point,” Hernandez recalled.

Yesavage dealt a pitching masterclass in Game 5, but the Dodgers ended up having the last laugh. In his Game 7 appearance out of the bullpen, the 22-year-old surrendered a solo homer to Max Muncy in the eighth inning which started Los Angeles' rally as they eventually won 5-4.

Kike Hernandez opens up about aggravating his elbow issues during postseason

Kike Hernandez missed plenty of action in 2025 due to a left elbow injury that occurred during a game against the Cleveland Guardians on May 28. After fighting through the pain, he was placed on the injured list from July 7 to August 25.

He would play throughout September and featured in all 17 games during the postseason. But Hernandez disclosed on the podcast that he aggravated the injuries which would require him to undergo surgery in the offseason.

“I would feel it here and there, but I was fine. Once the playoffs came in, adrenaline took over and I wasn’t feeling it," Hernandez said. "And then Game 3 of the NLCS, shadow game. Not only was it tough to see at the plate, but it was also tough to see it on defense.”

Hernandez batted at .203 with 10 home runs and 35 RBIs from 92 regular season games. During the playoffs, he hit at .250 with 7 RBIs. He is currently a free agent but is expected to sign another one-year contract with the team.

Edited by R. Nikhil Parshy