DAULTON VARSHO NEWS

Not throwing in games yet Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Friday that Varsho (shoulder) is throwing from 150-to-165 feet but has not been cleared to throw during extended spring training games, Shi Da...

Impact It would appear, then, that he is not particularly close to beginning a rehab assignment. Varsho does not have any problems hitting while working his way back from right shoulder surgery, but the Blue Jays want him ready to be a full-time outfielder before he's activated from the 10-day injured list.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Extends throwing distance Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that Varsho (shoulder) felt good after playing catch out to 150 feet Monday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Impact Varsho has been gradually increasing his throwing distance since the early stages of spring training, and the Blue Jays are confident that he's trending in the right direction as he works his way back from rotator cuff surgery, which he underwent last September. Varsho will likely need to extend his distance to around 175 to 200 feet before he would be considered ready to play the outfield in rehab games. Since Varsho is fully cleared to hit and was able to get in plenty of at-bats during the Grapefruit League as a designated hitter, he likely won't need a lengthy rehab assignment before the Blue Jays bring him back from the 10-day injured list. He could be trending toward a mid-April debut with the big club.

6 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Heads to IL The Blue Jays placed Varsho (shoulder) on the 10-day injured list Thursday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com.

Impact Varsho produced a .994 OPS over 37 plate appearances as a designated hitter in spring training, but because much of his value is derived from his defense, the Blue Jays will stash him on the IL to begin the season while he waits to gain clearance to play center field. Though he's still on the mend from September surgery on his right shoulder, Varsho recently increased his throwing distance to 120 feet, so he may not need much time to complete his throwing progression before making his 2025 debut. His IL placement is retroactive to Monday, so he'll be eligible to debut as soon as April 4.

MARCH 27 • ROTOWIRE

IL stint on tap Varsho (shoulder) will begin the season on the injured list, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Impact Varsho has been able to DH this spring with plenty of success, turning in a 1.126 OPS over 33 plate appearances. However, manager John Schneider has said that the 28-year-old would likely head to the IL if he hadn't been cleared to play in the field by Opening Day. Varsho has been throwing from 120 feet, but it doesn't seem like there's enough time to get him outfield-ready in time for the start of the season, so his 2025 debut will be delayed until at least April 6. Until then, Nathan Lukes will likely serve as Toronto's center fielder.

MARCH 22 • ROTOWIRE

Could begin season on IL Manager John Schneider said Sunday that Varsho (shoulder) is likely to begin the season on the injured list if he's not cleared to play the outfield, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com rep...

Impact The 28-year-old has been serving as a designated hitter in spring games while he continues to work through his rehab from September shoulder surgery, but Schneider apparently doesn't plan to carry that into the regular season. Varsho has extended his throwing distance to 120 feet, and the Blue Jays are expected to make a decision on his availability for Opening Day by the end of the week. Any absence to begin the season likely wouldn't be lengthy for the outfielder.

MARCH 16 • ROTOWIRE

Surging at plate Varsho (shoulder) went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles.

Impact While the Blue Jays still aren't sure if Varsho will be ready to handle defensive duties by Opening Day, the 28-year-old is doing everything he can to convince the team his bat needs to be in the lineup, even if it's at DH. He's gone yard in back-to-back games after taking Cade Povich deep for a two-run shot in the fifth inning Thursday, and through seven appearances this spring Varsho is batting .350 (7-for-20) with a double, a triple and four home runs. He's on schedule with his throwing progression with two weeks to go ahead of Toronto's season opener, so there's still a good chance the Gold Glove center fielder will be in his usual spot March 27 against Baltimore.

MARCH 14 • ROTOWIRE

Could be ready for Opening Day Varsho (shoulder) threw out to around 105 feet Thursday and could be cleared to play the outfield by the time the Blue Jays open their season March 27 versus the Orioles, Keegan Ma...

Impact After undergoing surgery on his right shoulder Sept. 23, Varsho's availability for the start of the 2025 season appeared to be in peril, but the 28-year-old appears to be progressing well in his recovery. Though he hasn't yet been cleared to resume playing the outfield and may not be ready to do so by the end of spring training, Varsho has been able to complete his normal hitting progression by serving as a designated hitter in six Grapefruit League games and going 5-for-16 with three home runs. A reigning Gold Glove Award winner, Varsho brings a good amount of his value in center field, but the Blue Jays could be open to deploying him as a DH to begin the season if he needs a little extra time to complete his throwing program.

MARCH 13 • ROTOWIRE

Shoulder feeling better Blue Jays manager John Schneider played catch with Varsho (shoulder) from 90-to-100 feet Sunday and said it was "probably the best" the 28-year-old has felt, Keegan Matheson of MLB...

Impact Varsho will continue to extend the distances of his throwing as he works his way back from right shoulder surgery. The Blue Jays have not ruled Varsho out for Opening Day, although it's unclear whether he would be ready to play the outfield by then. He's looked good at the plate this spring as a designated hitter, going 4-for-13 with two home runs and a 1:3 K:BB.

MARCH 10 • ROTOWIRE

Goes yard again Sunday Varsho (shoulder) went 1-for-2 with a walk and a solo home run in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.

Impact He lofted a Taijuan Walker offering over the right-field fence in the first inning, giving Varsho his second long ball of the spring. The 28-year-old has been limited to DH duties so far as he completes his recovery from shoulder surgery, but he's homered in each of his first two Grapefruit League appearances and has been optimistic he'll be able to avoid an IL stint to begin the regular season.

MARCH 3 • ROTOWIRE

Not ruling out Opening Day Varsho (shoulder) said Friday that it's "TBD" as to whether he will be ready in time for Opening Day, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Impact Blue Jays manager John Schneider implied at the beginning of camp that he expected Varsho to need some time on the injured list to start the season, so avoiding the IL is probably still unlikely. However, Varsho isn't ruling it out. The 28-year-old homered out of the designated hitter spot Friday in his Grapefruit League debut, and it's possible Toronto will consider carrying him on its Opening Day roster even if he's only able to DH initially. Varsho has extended his throwing distance to 120 feet and the next step is to start throwing over 80 mph regularly.

FEBRUARY 28 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared for spring debut Varsho (shoulder) will make his Grapefruit League debut at designated hitter Friday versus the Yankees, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Impact Recovering from last September's right rotator cuff surgery, Varsho has extended his throwing to 120 feet and continues to shag flyballs and hit as he normally would. It's not clear when he might be cleared to play defense in a spring game. Varsho has been ruled out for Opening Day but could be looking at a relatively brief absence.

FEBRUARY 27 • ROTOWIRE

Could make spring debut Friday Varsho (shoulder) could make his Grapefruit League debut as a designated hitter as soon as Friday, MLB.com reports.

Impact Varsho has been facing live pitching and taking batting practice with no issues but has not yet been cleared to throw at full effort as he works his way back from last September's right rotator cuff surgery. The 28-year-old is not expected to be ready for Opening Day, but getting into a spring game before the end of February, even if it's just as a hitter, would be a good sign with his recovery.

FEBRUARY 27 • ROTOWIRE

Hitting, throwing long toss Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Thursday that Varsho (shoulder) has been able to resume hitting and throwing from 90 feet, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Impact While Varsho is coming along as expected in his recovery from shoulder surgery, Schneider noted that the Blue Jays are still anticipating that the 28-year-old will miss time to begin the season. Per Keegan Matheson of MLB.com, Schneider mentioned Joey Loperfido, Nathan Lukes, Jonatan Clase and George Springer as candidates to see reps in center field until Varsho is ready to make his season debut.

FEBRUARY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Settles at $8.2 million Varsho (shoulder) agreed to a one-year, $8.2 million contract with the Blue Jays on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Impact Varsho is still recovering from the right rotator cuff surgery he underwent in late September, and while he hasn't fallen behind in his recovery process, there's still a good chance he will miss the first portion of the new season. The 28-year-old slashed .214/.293/.407 with 18 home runs, 50 RBI and 10 stolen bases over 136 games in 2024 and still has one more year of arbitration eligibility left.

JANUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE

Could miss Opening Day Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said Tuesday that expecting Varsho (shoulder) to be ready for Opening Day "could be unrealistic," Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Impact Atkins noted that Varsho isn't behind schedule in his recovery after undergoing surgery on his right shoulder in late September. However, manager John Schneider's original prediction of Varsho being close to full participation for the start of spring training no longer seems likely. A clearer picture regarding the 28-year-old's timeline will emerge as the new season approaches.

DECEMBER 3, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

May be available for start of spring Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Wednesday that Varsho (shoulder) is expected to be close to a full participant for the start of spring training, Scott Mitchell of TSN.ca repo...

Impact Varsho underwent surgery on his right shoulder Monday, and though the extent of the procedure wasn't known at the time, the Blue Jays indicated that the 28-year-old required a standard rotator cuff repair, with no other damage being detected. While the lack of additional damage to his shoulder qualifies as good news for Varsho, he could still face a tight window to gain full clearance by the time position players report to camp in the second half of February. Any setbacks in the rehab process over the winter could put Varsho at risk of opening the 2025 season on the injured list.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Moved to 60-day IL The Blue Jays transferred Varsho (shoulder) from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day injured list Tuesday, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

Impact It's a paper move which frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for Orelvis Martinez, who has been reinstated from the suspended list. Varsho underwent right rotator cuff surgery Monday.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Surgery completed Blue Jays manager John Schneider confirmed that Varsho underwent surgery Monday, Scott Mitchell of TSN.ca reports.

Impact The Blue Jays haven't provided a timeline for Varsho to resume baseball activities nor provided details regarding the nature of the outfielder's surgery, but the procedure had been expected to address a rotator cuff strain. Before being shut down for the season earlier this month, Varsho hit just .214 and got on base at a .293 clip over 513 plate appearances, but he was a decent source of counting stats (18 home runs, 10 stolen bases, 73 runs and 58 RBI).

SEPTEMBER 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Headed for shoulder surgery Varsho, who was placed on the 10-day injured list due to a shoulder strain Tuesday, will undergo surgery on his rotator cuff as soon as possible, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Impact Varsho has been played through the injury for an undisclosed period and will miss the final couple weeks of the regular season. Assuming the 28-year-old is able to get the procedure relatively soon, he should have enough recovery time to be healthy for the start of spring training. Varsho had an underwhelming .214/.293/.407 slash line in 136 games this year, though he still provided some value for fantasy managers with 18 homers, 10 stolen bases, 58 RBI and 73 runs.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Out with shoulder strain The Blue Jays placed Varsho on the 10-day injured list Tuesday, retroactive to Sept. 14, due to a right shoulder strain.

Impact The 28-year-old hasn't seen the field since Sept. 11 due to the shoulder issue, and Toronto finally elected to move him to the injured list Tuesday. Varsho will be eligible to rejoin the active roster Sept. 24, but it's possible the outfielder has already seen his last action of the season with only 12 games left on the schedule. If that's the case, Varsho will end 2024 with a 18 homers, 10 steals, 58 RBI, 73 runs and a .214/.293/.407 slash line in 136 contests.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Managing sore shoulder Varsho is out of the lineup for Sunday's game due to shoulder soreness, Mike Wilner of the Toronto Star reports.

Impact It's the first report of the injury for Varsho, but it makes sense as he hasn't been in the lineup since Tuesday against the Mets. The Blue Jays have a scheduled day off Monday, so the outfielder will have another two full days to rest up before Tuesday's series opener against the Rangers.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Continues to sit Varsho is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Impact Varsho will sit for a fourth consecutive game, three of which have come against right-handers. The 28-year-old has gone just 4-for-27 with a 37.9 percent strikeout rate since returning from a two-game absence due to a right shoulder injury in early September. Nathan Lukes will start in center field Sunday and bat in the leadoff spot against Cardinals right-hander Miles Mikolas.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Not in Saturday's lineup Varsho isn't in Toronto's lineup for Saturday's game against St. Louis.

Impact Varsho will sit down for a third consecutive game Saturday after going just 4-for-27 with a homer and two RBI since the start of September. Nathan Lukes will fill in as the Jays' center fielder and bat second.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Out of Friday's lineup Varsho is not in Friday's lineup against the Cardinals.

Impact Even with righty Erick Fedde on the mound for St. Louis, Varsho will open the game on the bench. Varsho is hitting .170 with a .235 on-base percentage and three home runs over his last 47 at-bats. Nathan Lukes is starting in left field while Joey Loperfido patrols center.

SEPTEMBER 13, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Out against southpaw Varsho is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mets.

Impact It's southpaw Sean Manaea toeing the rubber for the Mets, so the left-handed hitting Varsho will be given a day off in the series finale. Joey Loperfido will shift over to center field for the Blue Jays and will be flanked by Davis Schneider and Nathan Lukes.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2024 • ROTOWIRE