It was certainly a welcome back moment for Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho on Friday, as he homered in his first at-bat of the spring. Varsho hadn't played yet because of rotator cuff surgery that he underwent at the end of 2024.
This is a 2025 photo of Daulton Varsho of the Toronto Blue Jays Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in Dunedin, Fla. This image reflects the Blue Jays active roster on Feb.
Daulton Varsho hammers a solo home run to the right-field bullpen, opening the scoring for the Blue Jays in the top of the 1st inning
Something about “Daulton Varsho, designated hitter” looked strange on the Blue Jays’ lineup card Friday, but then he took his first swing. Varsho launched a deep home run to right field in his Spring Training debut against the Tigers,
The defense is the biggest factor in Varsho’s recovery, as the Gold Glove winner is one of baseball’s best defensive players. Matheson figures Joey Loperfido is the top candidate to fill in for Varsho in center field if an IL stint is indeed required, though these early results provide some optimism that Varsho could be ready to go for March 27.
Varsho (shoulder) said Friday that it's "TBD" as to whether he will be ready for Opening Day, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.