Toronto, Ontario — Daulton Varsho is set to make his long-awaited return to the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday when the team kicks off a six-game homestand against the Boston Red Sox. After undergoing surgery on his right rotator cuff last September, Varsho began the current season on the 10-day injured list to allow his throwing arm ample time to regain full strength. He has been participating in minor league rehab assignments, with his latest stint at Triple-A Buffalo marking his seventh game.
Despite Varsho’s absence, the Blue Jays have maintained a solid defensive performance. However, the team has struggled to generate power in its lineup, which makes Varsho’s return particularly crucial. He has shown flashes of his home run potential throughout his five seasons in Major League Baseball, with his most productive year being 2022 with the Arizona Diamondbacks. In his time with Toronto, he has a .398 slugging percentage and 38 home runs across 1,094 plate appearances.
Upon his return, Varsho is expected to take on his customary position in center field, playing regularly except against left-handed starters. Blue Jays manager John Schneider has reported that no final decision has been made regarding which player will be sent down to Triple-A to make room for Varsho on the 26-man roster, although left-handed outfielders Nathan Lukes and Addison Barger are likely candidates.
In the pitching department, Max Scherzer has begun taking steps toward a possible return after a recent 27-pitch bullpen session. He followed up with another round of throwing, though his persistent thumb injury has made his return uncertain. Scherzer has pitched just three innings for the Blue Jays this season due to discomfort, and it appears he may be several weeks away from rejoining the active roster.
In another development, the Blue Jays have moved Ryan Burr from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list. Burr has been sidelined this season due to right shoulder inflammation, and his expected timetable for recovery has led the team to take this precautionary measure, officially ruling him out until at least late May.
This adjustment for Burr, however, seems largely procedural; Schneider indicated that there have been no setbacks in the pitcher’s rehabilitation. His placement on the extended injured list opens a spot on the 40-man roster, suggesting that the team is preparing for a potential move, whether to acquire another player or to make room for additional roster changes.
As the Blue Jays look to bolster their offense and strengthen their pitching lineup with these developments, all eyes will be on Varsho’s return and the corresponding adjustments the team will make to support its playoff ambitions as the season progresses.