Blue Jays' Daulton Varsho to make season debut on Tuesday
Photo credit: https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/video/daulton-varsho-homers-1-on-a-fly-ball-to-right-field
The Gold Glover and Fielding Bible award winner underwent surgery on his right rotator cuff last September, and started this season on the 10-day injured list to allow him extra time to get his throwing arm back up to full game readiness.
Varsho was still able to log some at-bats as a DH during Spring Training, and his appearance with Triple-A Buffalo today marked the seventh game of his minor league rehab assignment.
The Jays have remained a very strong defensive team even in Varsho's absence, and since Toronto's lineup has been sorely lacking in power, the bigger boost would come if Varsho can more consistently unlock the home run pop he has shown at times during his five MLB seasons.
Varsho's biggest power season remains his 2022 campaign with
the Diamondbacks, as he has only a .398 slugging percentage (but with 38 homers) in 1094 plate appearances in a Blue Jays uniform.
Blue Jays return Jonatan Clase to triple-A Buffalo after he served as 27th man in doubleheader. Another roster move looms Tuesday when Daulton Varsho is set to return from IL.
Varsho will resume his usual semi-everyday role in center field, only sitting when the Jays face some left-handed starting pitchers.
Manager John Schneider told Sportsnet's Shi Davidi and other reporters that no decision has been made about who will be sent down to Triple-A to create space for Varsho on the 26-man roster, though left-handed hitting outfielders
Nathan Lukes or
Addison Barger seem the likeliest candidates.
Previously on Blue Jays Central
| POLL |
AVRIL 28 | 93 ANSWERS Blue Jays' Daulton Varsho to make season debut on Tuesday Who should the Blue Jays send down to Buffalo when Daulton Varsho comes back? |
| Addison Barger | 33 | 35.5 % |
| Nathan Lukes | 60 | 64.5 % |
| List of polls |