Scheduled Thursday vs Shane Baz; 11-8, 3.90 with Toronto; part of rotation’s mix of veteran control and strike-throwing needs as Jays push toward the late-season grind.

Bassitt (11-8, 3.90) starts Thursday, anchoring Toronto’s late-series plans and offering a reliable matchup-specific option against Rays’ hitters as the Jays try to keep momentum.

Bassitt pitched five innings for Toronto, yielding two runs on three hits with three strikeouts, anchoring the Jays through the rain delay and keeping Toronto in a position to close out the game when play resumes.

Bassitt swaps with Scherzer to start Saturday on normal rest, preserving the weekend plan and minimizing further rotation disruption due to back soreness. His move keeps the sequence intact and provides a reliable option for a key start, ensuring the Jays stay on course in a tight late-season schedule.

Bassitt, a durable innings-eater at 36, has a 4.10 ERA and has faced the Yankees three times this season, logging a 4.82 ERA in that sample. He remains a reliable anchor for Toronto, especially in a need-to-win finale.