TORONTO -- The Blue Jays missed Daulton Varsho.
While Varsho has spent the past month finishing a long, challenging rehab from his 2024 shoulder surgery, they’ve missed one of the best defenders in the sport and the power upside Varsho can offer the middle of their lineup. Those aren’t the first places John Schneider’s mind went, though.
“Well, it puts George in a better mood,” Schneider said. “I think he’s happier than Varsho.”
George Springer is the rambunctious big brother and Varsho is the quiet, more reserved little brother, the one who smirks while Springer makes all the noise. Stand in the Blue Jays’ clubhouse for five minutes on any given day and you’ll hear Springer shouting out his name for one reason or the other: “DAULTON!”
“Everyone knows him, likes him and appreciates his game,” Schneider said. “It makes your lineup better. It makes your defense better. Just having his personality here is huge.”
Even though Varsho needed this first month of the season and seven rehab games in the Minor Leagues, he’s nailed this rehab process after having his rotator cuff repaired. That’s a major procedure, and given that it’s one we typically associate with pitchers, this comeback has been unique.
The Blue Jays have had the radar gun on Varsho, building up his arm strength. He’s been able to hit since Spring Training opened in February, but throwing was always the big challenge. On top of that, it’s hard to simulate running into walls, which Varsho has a habit of doing.
“The process has been a roller coaster. Some days are going to feel good, some days are going to feel bad, and that’s just a part of it,” Varsho explained. “You’re going to have good days and bad days. It’s about taking care of yourself, making sure you’re on top of things and doing the right thing. Obviously, a big mental block was the dive, so having that dive in [Triple-A] Buffalo was big for me because I checked that box.”
Spring numbers barely matter in the moment, let alone on April 29, but keep in mind that Varsho launched four home runs in just 33 at-bats this spring while playing as a DH. He has the power to hit 20-plus annually, and on a roster that’s absolutely desperate for pop, the Blue Jays will take that boost eight days a week.
“We’re not asking Varsh to save our offense,” Schneider said. “We want him to fit in. When you look up and down, we need the top of our order to get going a little bit and we need people to do their part. Varsh is really good at that. He understands what kind of player he is and what kind of hitter he is. We’re not asking for him to come in and hit 40 homers. If he does, great, but I think he’s really aware of what he does to this lineup.”
The other benefactor? Addison Barger
With Will Wagner being optioned for Varsho after a slow start, it’s Barger who could see more playing time. The Blue Jays’ roster is overflowing with outfielders, so Barger will slide in to play third base more often, Schneider said Tuesday. You’ll see him out there often against right-handed pitching, which would leave Ernie Clement as the super utility on those days.
The numbers aren’t there yet for Barger, but all of the physical tools are. On a team that needs upside -- or just one big play to steal them a game -- Barger is the exact type of player the Blue Jays should be rolling the dice on.
Musical chairs in the outfield
Varsho isn’t getting eased back in here. He’s the center fielder, period. Beyond Varsho and Barger, though, the Blue Jays still have Springer, Anthony Santander, Myles Straw, Alan Roden and Nathan Lukes.
Until someone from Triple-A hits enough to force the Blue Jays’ hand, they’ll roll forward with a whopping seven outfielders.
Santander will continue to see plenty of DH reps while Roden still has a path to playing time in left field when there’s a righty on the mound, Schneider said. Straw will face some lefties, so when the music stops, it may be Lukes with the steepest hill to climb here, but you can expect Schneider to be aggressive with pinch-hitters and runners throughout the game.