Dylan Cease strikes out three, gives up solo shot in Jays spring debut

By: The Canadian Press Posted: 3:49 PM CST Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026

DUNEDIN - Dylan Cease was solid in his first spring training and the Toronto Blue Jays had mixed results in a pair of split-squad games Saturday.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

DUNEDIN - Dylan Cease was solid in his first spring training and the Toronto Blue Jays had mixed results in a pair of split-squad games Saturday.

Read unlimited articles for free today:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 28/02/2026 (195 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

DUNEDIN – Dylan Cease was solid in his first spring training and the Toronto Blue Jays had mixed results in a pair of split-squad games Saturday.

Cease, who signed a seven-year, US$210 million contract with Toronto in the off-season, struck out three and gave up a solo homer over 1 2/3 innings in Toronto’s 7-5 win over visiting Philadelphia.

Cease struck out Phillies stars Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper in a clean first inning. He was relieved by Jesse Hahn after giving up a solo homer to Bryan De La Cruz with two outs in the second.

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Dylan Cease warms up throwing at Spring Training in Dunedin, Fla. on Friday Feb. 20, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Toronto took their first lead of the game in a four-run sixth inning highlight by Josh Rivera’s two-run homer.

RJ Schreck, who scored on the Rivera homer, stole home in the seventh to cap the scoring.

Andrés Giménez and Alejandro Kirk also drove in runs for Toronto.

Meanwhile, in Tampa, Fla., the Blue Jays lost 5-1 to the New York Yankees despite a strong start by José Berríos.

The veteran right-hander struck out two and walked two over four no-hit innings.

The Yankees scored two in the fifth and Austin Wells made it 4-0 with a two-run homer in the sixth. New York’s Kenedy Corona hit a solo shot in the seventh, and Toronto scored its only run when Carlos Mendoza scored in a fielding error in the ninth.

Toronto (2-6-1) next faces Tarik Skubal and the Detroit Tigers on Sunday in Lakeland, Fla.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 28, 2026.