As expected, Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho (shoulder) will not be ready to start the season after surgery to deal with his rotator cuff injury suffered last September.
Blue Jays have told Davis Schneider and Tyler Heineman they’ve made the team, said John Schneider.
Daulton Varsho will also start the season on the IL.
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) March 22, 2025
Varsho is expected to be the Blue Jays’ primary centerfielder when he returns, but he won’t be on the roster to start the season after avoiding arbitration with a one-year, $8.2 million deal this offseason.
Last year, Varsho played 136 games, hitting just .214 with 18 homers, 10 stolen bases and a .304 wOBA. He was off to a scalding start at the plate in spring training, hitting four home runs while going 8-for-29 (.275) with a .517 ISO and .446 wOBA in the small 10-game sample size.
While his bat looks ready to roll, he’s still ramping his throwing back up. He’s playing catch from up to 100 feet but needs to stretch out a little farther so he can play the outfield. While he will start on the IL, it looks like he’ll be able to return in the first month of the season.
Fantasy baseball impact
Manager John Schneider mentioned Joey Loperfido, Nathan Lukes, Jonatan Clase and George Springer as alternatives in centerfield until Varsho is ready. Loperfido and Clase were optioned to Triple-A, leaving Lukes as the most likely option.
Last year, Lukes hit .303 in 22 games with Toronto with one home run, one stolen base and a .351 wOBA. He hit .335 in the minors with seven homers and four stolen bases across 57 games, and he could be an early-season bargain play to watch for in DFS or stream in season-long leagues if he gets regular playing time while Varsho recovers.
