TORONTO – Daulton Varsho was monitoring a deep fly ball off Jarren Duran’s bat close to the warning observe at Rogers Centre when he tried to show to his proper and ended up tripping over his personal toes.
“I stated a profanity phrase in my head,” laughed Varsho afterwards. “However then I used to be like, ‘Alright, the place’s the ball?’ and simply tried to do every little thing I can to attempt to catch it.”
Varsho managed to stand up on one knee, look over his shoulder, and catch the ball along with his again to dwelling plate for a highlight-reel catch, one of many few vibrant spots within the Toronto Blue Jays’ 10-2 loss to the Boston Purple Sox on Tuesday.
Varsho stated that he thought Duran’s fly ball was going to fall for a triple, embarrassing the Gold Glove outfielder in his season debut after an extended restoration following shoulder surgical procedure final September.
“You’re employed on it on a regular basis, taking your eyes off the ball,” stated Varsho. “After I fell, I used to be like, ‘oh boy, it’s gonna be considerably close to me, however I noticed it sort of actually fast, and sort of caught out my glove.”
Varsho was activated off the 10-day injured checklist by the Blue Jays simply hours earlier than Toronto opened its three-game collection with Boston. It was Varsho’s first recreation of the season after beginning the yr on the IL.
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“Simply be myself,” Varsho stated earlier than the three-game collection opener on what his expectations have been heading into the sport. “Don’t attempt to do an excessive amount of and simply be your self and go on the market and play.”
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When Varsho does that, he’s been very efficient.
Varsho hit .214 with 18 dwelling runs and 58 runs batted in final season. His defensive prowess is the place he has the largest influence, nonetheless, incomes his first-ever Gold Glove final season.
He was second on Toronto in Wins Above Substitute final yr, a statistic that makes an attempt to measure a participant’s general influence on a group together with defence. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., led the Blue Jays with a 6.2 WAR and Varsho was 5.0.
His highlight-reel catch on Duran underscored that.
“That was unimaginable. That was among the best catches I’ve ever seen in my life,” stated Boston slugger Alex Bregman. “I want he wouldn’t have as a result of it could have been a pleasant triple for Jarren, however you’ve received to tip your hat to him there.
“That was an unbelievable play.”
Varsho lately accomplished a rehab task with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons. Tuesday’s recreation was the beginning of his third season in Toronto after he was traded by the Arizona Diamondbacks to the Blue Jays in December 2022 for Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Gabriel Moreno.
He’s a profession .225 hitter with a .414 slugging share and 79 dwelling runs over 5 seasons in Arizona and Toronto.
“It’s a kind of issues the place you’re not stunned, but it surely’s at all times a shock,” stated Toronto starter Bowden Francis, who had already been pulled from the sport. “He’s unimaginable on the market.”
Blue Jays supervisor John Schneider had Varsho bat sixth. Varsho was 0 for 3 on Tuesday however drew a stroll and felt optimistic about his efficiency on the plate.
“For me, it’s similar to, ‘OK let’s shrink the zone, get an excellent pitch to hit,’” stated Varsho. “Belief in that course of. Shrink the zone, get my pitch within the center, and do injury.”
Varsho’s return additionally meant that veteran outfielder George Springer would have a comparatively mild night as designated hitter as an alternative of filling in for Varsho in centre. It’s anticipated Springer will break up time in proper area with Anthony Santander going ahead.
“It places George in a greater temper. I believe he’s happier than Varsh,” joked Schneider pre-game. “I believe everybody is aware of (Varsho), likes him and appreciates his recreation.
“It makes your lineup higher, it makes your defence higher, simply having his persona right here is big.”
Toronto additionally activated right-handed pitcher Casey Lawrence a day after claiming him off waivers from Seattle. Proper-hander Paxton Schultz and infielder Will Wagner have been optioned to Buffalo in corresponding strikes.
Schneider stated that right-handed reliever Erik Swanson (carpal tunnel syndrome) would pitch for the Single-A Dunedin Blue Jays later Tuesday. Righty Ryan Burr (proper shoulder irritation) confronted reside batters earlier within the day.
Surefire Corridor of Famer righty Max Scherzer (thumb) threw off the mound once more and right-handed reliever Nick Sandlin (proper lat pressure) nonetheless has no timeline for his return.
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed April 29, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
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