Blue Jays welcome back CF Varsho after minimum IL stay
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CHICAGO -- The Blue Jays got another piece of their everyday lineup back on Saturday.
Toronto reinstated center fielder Daulton Varsho from the injured list prior to Saturday's game against the Cubs, returning one of the club's most valuable defenders after a brief absence caused by inflammation in his left wrist.
Varsho started in center field and batted sixth against Cubs right-hander Colin Rea.
The 29-year-old landed on the injured list June 12, retroactive to June 10, but made rapid progress over the past week. After successfully ramping up his hitting activity, the Blue Jays felt comfortable putting him right back into the lineup.
"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."
Varsho returns to a Blue Jays club that has slowly begun getting healthier after navigating a lengthy list of injuries throughout the first half of the season.
One of Toronto's key contributors, Varsho was slashing .256/.331/.408 with five home runs, 17 RBIs and five stolen bases through 236 plate appearances before the injury.
His impact extends beyond the batter's box.
Varsho remains one of baseball's better defensive center fielders, and his return gives Toronto another fresh presence in the middle of the diamond as the club continues a stretch of 16 consecutive games without an off-day.
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The Blue Jays did not send Varsho on a Minor League rehab assignment before activating him, opting instead to return him directly to the lineup after determining he had fully recovered from the wrist issue.
Toronto optioned infielder Charles McAdoo to Triple-A Buffalo to clear a roster spot.
Varsho's return could be the first of several reinforcements arriving in the coming days. 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 gladly welcome back one of their everyday starters.