Daulton Varsho returned to the Blue Jays’ everyday lineup on Saturday against the Cubs after a minimum injured-list stay for inflammation in his left wrist. Toronto didn’t send him to a rehab assignment, and he immediately went to center field and batted sixth
CHICAGO — The Blue Jays got one of their most dependable defenders back in the middle of the field on Saturday. Toronto reinstated center fielder Daulton Varsho from the injured list prior to Saturday’s game against the Cubs. putting him straight back into action after a brief absence tied to inflammation in his left wrist.
Varsho was in center field and batted sixth against Cubs right-hander Colin Rea.
His IL stint began June 12, retroactive to June 10. But the turnaround was quick enough that the team felt comfortable returning him after a week of ramping up without dragging the injury out. Over the past week. Varsho progressed through hitting activity. and the Blue Jays watched him handle the kind of workload they needed to see before making the move.
“I think just how he felt physically, hitting off the machine, hitting velo back-to-back days and not really feeling it,” manager John Schneider said. “Over the last four or five days, he made a lot of progress. So he’s back in there. He’s in center.”
The decision matters more than it might sound. Varsho returns to a Blue Jays roster that has been gradually getting healthier after dealing with a lengthy list of injuries through the first half of the season. For Toronto. which is in the middle of a 16 consecutive games stretch without an off-day. every healthy starter isn’t just a bonus—it’s relief.
Before the injury, Varsho was producing at the plate as well. Through 236 plate appearances, he was slashing .256/.331/.408 with five home runs, 17 RBIs and five stolen bases.
His value doesn’t stop there. Varsho also remains one of baseball’s better defensive center fielders, and his return adds another steady presence in the middle of the diamond as the club works through its ongoing run.
Toronto didn’t send Varsho on a Minor League rehab assignment before activating him. Instead, the team returned him directly to the lineup after determining he had fully recovered from the wrist issue.
To make room on the roster, the Blue Jays optioned infielder Charles McAdoo to Triple-A Buffalo.
Varsho’s comeback could be the first step in a bigger wave. Shane Bieber remains on track to return Monday, while Addison Barger is expected to begin facing live pitching as he works toward a rehab assignment of his own.
For now, though, the Blue Jays will take the immediate win: one everyday starter back in place, center field covered, and lineup momentum preserved heading into the next stretch.
Blue Jays Daulton Varsho injured list left wrist inflammation Cubs Colin Rea John Schneider Charles McAdoo Triple-A Buffalo Shane Bieber Addison Barger
So they just slapped him back in after a week? Wrist injuries are never that simple lol.
Inflammation in his left wrist, but they’re like “he’s fine” because he hit the machine?? I’ve had that and it didn’t magically disappear.
Not sending him to rehab assignment sounds like them trying to save money or rush him. Also batted sixth?? That lineup move always feels random to me.
I saw “16 straight games” and thought they were desperate… then it’s like “actually they’re getting healthy”?? Meanwhile I swear they said Varsho was done for the season like last month.