Article: Daulton Varsho Is Starting Rehab; How Will The Blue Jays Look When He Returns?

[Bryan Jaeger]

Daulton Varsho began the season on the injured list due to having rotator cuff surgery in his right shoulder in September last year. The Blue Jays expect the outfielder to return to the big leagues by the end of April, but what changes will the team need to make before then?

While rehabbing his shoulder, Daulton Varsho played 12 games in spring training as the designated hitter. Over 20 at-bats, he had an OPS of .994, four home runs, and nine RBI. It was a great showing at the plate, but his surgically repaired shoulder was not ready for him to break camp with the team. 

Last week, he successfully threw from 150 and 165 feet. This week, the goal is for Varsho to throw from the outfield to the bases and return to regular game-speed throwing. If successful, the center fielder expects to spend a week playing full extended spring training games before going to Triple-A Buffalo for a few games and returning to the big leagues. The Blue Jays have Nathan Lukes and Myles Straw splitting time in centerfield based on the pitcher. Lukes, a 30-year-old rookie, starts against righties, and Straw, a 30-year-old four-year veteran, starts against lefties.

The team also has 25-year-old rookie Alan Roden, who has started at both corner outfield positions as an option to send down if the front office wanted to move Lukes and Straw to right field. This is unlikely to happen with the rookie's struggles, slashing .229/.317/.286 with zero home runs and only two RBI over his first 35 big-league at-bats.

Between Straw and Lukes, Straw has been much more successful on the offensive side of the ball, slashing .350/.381/.381 and a 143 wRC+ over 20 at-bats. Lukes is struggling in his first trip to the majors, slashing .158/.273/.158 with a 40 wRC+ in 19 at-bats.

When Varsho returns, he will be slotted into center field and likely have a few starts at designated hitter to ease him into a full workload. This situation means it is likely that either Lukes or Straw will be sent down to Triple-A Buffalo. Both have an option available. Varsho is a left-handed hitter like Lukes, which means Lukes will likely be the player sent down.

This move allows the rookie plenty of at-bats to work out his struggles in case he is needed back in Toronto later in the season. It will also enable Straw to make starts against a lefty, allowing Varsho to have an off day or start at DH.

Whichever option the Blue Jays go with, they will gladly have Varsho's power back. The 28-year-old does not reliably hit for average, posting just a .214 average last season, but he has hit 20 and 18 home runs since coming over from the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2023, respectively. Last season, he had a 93 wRC+ and a wins above replacement of 3.3. 

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