He also won’t have to wait very long to face his former team.
Just hours before opening a three-game set in Houston, the Toronto Blue Jays traded the centre fielder to the Astros in exchange for righty Spencer Arrighetti.
Varsho then said his goodbyes to the Blue Jays before making a quick walk over to the home clubhouse at Daikin Park.
Varsho will bat fourth in Monday’s game against his former team, providing another twist in what has been an emotional roller coaster for the outfielder. You can watch the game at 8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
“Obviously, I wish those guys the best because I really do care for a lot of those guys, especially the coaches,” an emotional Varsho said when asked how difficult it will be to leave the Blue Jays.
Varsho, a Gold Glove winner in 2024, provides a big boost in the outfield for the Astros, who, after a three-game sweep of the Texas Rangers over the weekend, took over the AL West division lead for the first time since early April. Houston went from a half-game deficit to a 2 1/2-game lead after the weekend series.
“Excited to add Varsho to our lineup,” Astros manager Joe Espada said. “He fits a hole that we’ve had here for a while. He brings a different dynamic to our offence, can really play center field, lefty bat. This guy was in the World Series not that long ago, so he knows what it takes.”
Espada said he plans to play Varsho only in center field and raved about his skills on offence and defence.
“He’s got some juice,” Espada said. “I think his power will play really well in this ballpark. He can run, can steal some bases. He’s a plus defender in center, so those are things that will fit right in.”
In 99 games this season, Varsho has hit .243 with seven homers and 26 RBIs. He had 20 homers in 71 big league games last season for the Blue Jays, who are last in the AL East after winning the American League pennant in 2025.
Varsho is a .229 career hitter with 106 homers and 321 RBIs in 747 games for Arizona and Toronto since his 2020 debut. He can become a free agent this fall.
— With files from the Associated Press