Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho will retreat to the bench for Thursday's series finale against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays at Rogers Centre. Myles Straw will start in center field and bat eighth versus Rays right-hander Zack Littell. In 11 games since returning from offseason shoulder surgery on April 29, Varsho has gone 9-for-40 (.225) with five home runs, a double, 11 RBI, seven runs scored and a stolen base for the Blue Jays. He's had four built-in off days along the way to help ease him back into the fold. The 28-year-old isn't going to provide much in terms of average -- he has a career .225 average in 588 big-league games -- but it's been nice to see him go deep five times in his first 11 games. Straw is hitting a strong .290 (20-for-69) early on, but he'll be a low-upside DFS option with limited power down at the bottom of the order. He's never faced Littell.

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho had a big night in his team's 11-9 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday. Varsho went 2-for-5 with two homers and four RBI, but it wasn't quite enough to down the Rays in the high-scoring loss. The veteran outfielder has been productive in limited time this season, hitting just .222 with five homers, six runs, 11 RBI, and one steal across 36 at-bats after missing the majority of April following offseason shoulder surgery. He is worth a look in deep fantasy leagues as a reserve moving forward.

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho enjoyed a nice evening on Thursday, going 3-for-4 with three RBI, one run scored, and one home run. The home run was a solo shot in the eighth inning, which extended the Blue Jays' lead to 8-5, as they ended up holding on to avoid the three-game sweep against the Los Angeles Angels. The home run was Varscho's third of the season, as he raised his slashing line to .273/.346/.727. Varsho was activated off the injured list on April 29, and over the past seven games since being activated, he has been hitting for power and providing the Blue Jays with the offensive spark they need. Look for Varsho to keep it going as the Blue Jays travel to Seattle for a three-game series against the Mariners that starts on Friday.

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho (back) is back in center field and is hitting sixth in the batting order for Tuesday's contest on the road in Anaheim against the Los Angeles Angels and left-hander Tyler Anderson. Varsho will return to action after missing the last two games due to back tightness that caused him to be scratched from Sunday's game. The 28-year-old will be playing in only his sixth game of the year after having offseason shoulder surgery and started the regular season on the injured list. He has so far gone 3-for-14 with two home runs, three RBI, a steal and three runs scored in his first 17 plate appearances. Fantasy managers in season-long leagues will want to get him back into their starting lineups. In 12 career at-bats against Anderson, Varsho is hitting .583 with a 1.698 OPS, one home run and five RBI.

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that outfielder Daulton Varsho (back) potentially could have pushed through his lower-back tightness to play in Sunday's loss to the Cleveland Guardians, but the team didn't want to risk it so soon after he returned from offseason shoulder surgery. The Blue Jays are hoping that Varsho will return for Tuesday's series opener versus the Los Angeles Angels. The 28-year-old made his return from the injured list due to his surgically repaired shoulder last week and has only played in five games, so the Blue Jays weren't going to push him. Fantasy managers will want to check back on Tuesday to see if he's back in there. Varsho has three hits in his first 17 plate appearances, but it's a good sign that two of those hits went for home runs. When healthy, he's Toronto's everyday center fielder.

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho (back) has been scratched from Sunday's starting lineup against the visiting Cleveland Guardians due to lower-back tightness, according to MLB.com's Keegan Matheson. Nathan Lukes will now patrol center field in the series finale at Rogers Centre against Guardians right-hander Tanner Bibee. Varsho has only played in five games in 2025 after getting a late start to the season due to offseason right-shoulder surgery. The 28-year-old has gone 3-for-14 with two home runs, three RBI, a steal and three runs scored. For now, fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day. Toronto has an off day on Monday before beginning a series in Anaheim against the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday, so hopefully Varsho will be feeling better by then. He's a Gold Glover and the Jays' starting center fielder when he's healthy. Lukes will be a poor DFS choice in the eight-hole.

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho will take the day off on Friday against the visiting Cleveland Guardians at Rogers Centre. Myles Straw will draw into the lineup in center field and will bat eighth against Guardians left-hander Logan Allen. The left-handed-hitting Varsho will be rested against the southpaw after returning from the injured list earlier this week. In his first three games played in 2025, the 28-year-old has gotten off to a good start, going 3-for-10 with two home runs, three RBI, two runs scored, three walks and four strikeouts. The two homers are especially encouraging after Varsho had offseason shoulder surgery. Fantasy managers should expect him to return on Saturday against righty Gavin Williams. Although Straw is hitting .304 (14-for-46) this year, he's a low-upside DFS option on Friday and has never faced Allen in his career.

The Toronto Blue Jays announced on Tuesday that they reinstated outfielder Daulton Varsho (shoulder) from the 10-day injured list and optioned right-hander Paxton Schultz and infielder Will Wagner to Triple-A Buffalo in corresponding moves. Varsho is making his 2025 debut on Tuesday in center field while batting sixth against Boston Red Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet. While Varsho should be avoided for DFS purposes in a tough matchup in his return, the 28-year-old will resume his role as Toronto's everyday starting center fielder with an elite glove. He missed the first month of the season after having right-shoulder surgery last September. Varsho went 3-for-25 with seven strikeouts in seven minor-league rehab games, so fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised if he gets out to a slow start in 2025. He hit just .214/.293/.407 with a .700 OPS, 18 homers, 58 RBI and 10 steals in 136 games a year ago.

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho (shoulder) will serve as the designated hitter for Triple-A Buffalo on Friday night as he continues his minor-league rehab assignment, and he's expected to rejoin the Blue Jays no later than next Tuesday against the division-rival Boston Red Sox. It's still possible he'll come off the 10-day injured list to make his 2025 debut this weekend in the Bronx against the division-rival New York Yankees, too. So far in five rehab games with Single-A Dunedin and Buffalo, the 28-year-old has gone 2-for-18 with two RBI and six strikeouts. Varsho is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery and could be eased into outfield duties upon his return to the majors, but when healthy, he's an everyday player for the team. Although he does have 38 homers, 119 RBI and 26 steals in his two seasons in Toronto, he's hit a disappointing .217 with a below-average .686 OPS.

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho (shoulder) is joining the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons on his minor-league rehab assignment on Tuesday, according to Sportsnet's Arden Zwelling. The hope is that he will play five of the remaining six days this week, with a potential return to the big leagues this weekend in New York against the Yankees as a possibility. Toronto will re-evaluate the 28-year-old on Wednesday or Thursday to make a final call. Varsho is nearing his 2025 debut after having right-shoulder surgery in the offseason. In two rehab games with Single-A Dunedin, he went hitless in six at-bats with two strikeouts, and the Blue Jays want to see a little more before activating him from the injured list. Varsho will probably be eased in when he returns to the majors, but eventually he'll be the team's everyday center fielder.

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho (shoulder) will start a formal minor-league rehab assignment with Single-A Dunedin soon, according to MLB.com's Keegan Matheson. Varsho and his wife, Brook, are expecting a child in the coming days, so he will ramp up his rehab after the baby arrives. The 28-year-old has been cleared to begin a rehab assignment after recently playing in extended spring training games on defense in the outfield. He got a late start in spring training after offseason surgery on his right shoulder, but if everything goes well on his rehab assignment, he could rejoin Toronto before the end of April. The Blue Jays will surely ease Varsho in on defense when he comes off the injured list, but when healthy, he will be a regular starter in the outfield as one of their best defenders. He was a disappointment offensively in 2024, and it remains to be seen how productive he'll be coming off shoulder surgery.

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho (shoulder) has been playing catch up to 165 feet but has not yet been cleared to throw in games. Varsho opened the regular season on the 15-day injured list as he is working his way back from shoulder surgery. However, Varsho was able to serve as the designated hitter during spring training. The coaching staff has noted that Varsho will only join the MLB roster when he is cleared to play defense. While he has been sidelined, prospect Alan Roden has seen playing time in the starting nine. Last season, Varsho saw most of his time in left and center field. Across 136 contests, the 28-year-old posted a .214/.293/.407 slash line with 18 long balls and 10 stolen bases. Varsho is worth monitoring as he will hold value in category formats given his ability to hit for power and steal bases.

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho (shoulder) will begin the season on the injured list, according to manager John Schneider. While it was thought this was going to be the case all along, it was confirmed by Schneider on Saturday. Varsho had been working as the team's DH this spring and was posting good results, slashing .276/.333/.793 with four home runs in 29 at-bats. While that type of pace should not be expected during the regular season, the left-handed hitter has some decent pop in his bat, slugging as many as 27 home runs in 2022 and 18 last season. The 28-year-old also has good speed, reaching double-digit steals each of the last three seasons. He won a Gold Glove in 2024 as well, so the Jays would rather him play both sides of the ball (not just DH), which is why he'll begin the season on the IL as he recovers from September rotator-cuff surgery. The IL stint is not expected to be a long one, while it leaves Nathan Lukes, Myles Straw, and Alan Roden as potential short-term replacements. If needed, Varsho could be stashed in an IL spot for fantasy. Otherwise, he'd be a viable waiver-wire pickup if available when he returns.

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho (shoulder) could begin the season on the injured list. Keegan Matheson of MLB.com noted that the outfielder is throwing at 120 feet and is viewed as "day-to-day." However, a "brief" stint on the IL is considered the "likeliest" outcome. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status as the team will make a decision in the coming days. The 28-year-old has been deployed exclusively as a designated hitter during spring training and has yet to progress enough to take the field defensively. However, even if he did open the season on the injured list, he will likely not miss an extended period of time. Last season, Varsho appeared in 136 games for the Blue Jays and held a .214/.293/.407 line with 18 home runs and 10 stolen bases. When healthy, he should be viewed as a viable depth outfielder in category formats given his ability to hit for power and carry speed upside.

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho (shoulder) threw out to around 105 feet in camp on Thursday. He still has two weeks until Opening Day, and although it's possible he'll need extra time to ramp up his throwing all the way, he's in a good spot given how complicated rehab from shoulder surgery can be, according to MLB.com's Keegan Matheson. The 28-year-old continues to be up in the air for the start of the 2025 season after having surgery on his right shoulder in September of last year. He has yet to play the field yet in Grapefruit League action but has gone 5-for-16 with three home runs as the designated hitter, which is a great sign for him at the plate after having offseason surgery. Varsho's DH role could continue early into the season if he's not ready to play the outfield. He is RotoBaller's No. 90-ranked fantasy outfielder, but a bounce-back is possible if his down poor 2024 was related to his injured shoulder.

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider played catch with outfielder Daulton Varsho (shoulder) in camp on Sunday at 90 to 100 feet and called it "probably the best he's felt." "The next step is feeling that way when he's back to 120, 150, 175. We'll see when he gets there," Schneider said. Opening Day is a possibility for Varsho, but he's day-to-day for now. The 28-year-old is working his way back from right-shoulder surgery and the Blue Jays aren't going to push him just so that he can be out there on Opening Day, so fantasy managers shouldn't be all that surprised if he opens the year on the injured list. In addition to his shoulder injury, there are other reasons to be skeptical of him in fantasy after he was a below-average hitter in 2024. His shoulder injury could have been to blame, but Varsho just didn't hit the ball hard enough or consistently enough. RotoBaller has Varsho ranked as the No. 90 fantasy outfielder.

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho (shoulder) is uncertain as to whether he'll ready in time to play on Opening Day. Blue Jays' manager John Schneider hinted earlier in camp that Varsho could spend some time on the injured list to begin the season. Varsho has started throwing up to 120 feet, but the next step is Varsho throwing over 80 mph regularly. It's possible that the Blue Jays carry Varsho on the Opening Day roster just as the designated hitter. He has looked fine as a hitter during spring training, but is still increasing his arm strength. George Springer might start the season in center field if Varsho isn't ready yet.UPDATE: Varsho hit a two-run home run in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Detroit Tigers.

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho (shoulder) will make his Grapefruit League debut on Friday against the division-rival New York Yankees while serving as the designated hitter. Varsho said he's progressing well from right rotator-cuff surgery last September and has been throwing at 120 feet. He also continues to shag fly balls and hit in camp. The 28-year-old will begin the 2025 regular season on the injured list, but he might only have to spent the minimum time on the shelf before making his season debut. Fantasy managers shouldn't be in any hurry to roster Varsho coming off a pretty serious surgery, especially after he hit just .214/.293/.407 with a .700 OPS, 18 home runs, 58 RBI, 10 stolen bases and 73 runs scored in 136 games in 2024 in his second year in Toronto. His batted-ball metrics didn't paint a pretty picture, although his defensive abilities should keep him as a lineup regular if he's healthy.

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho (shoulder) is hitting and throwing up to 90 feet, but manager John Schneider said the team is operating as if Varsho will miss time. However, the Jays aren't "putting anything past him." The 28-year-old will more than likely open the 2025 regular season on the injured list after undergoing shoulder surgery last year. When healthy, Varsho will operate as the team's regular center fielder. But until then, all of Joey Loperfido, Nathan Lukes, Jonatan Clase and George Springer could see time in center early in the year. Varsho's glove was his best asset for Toronto in his second year with the team, as he hit a below-average .214/.293/.407 with a .700 OPS, 18 home runs, 58 RBI, 10 stolen bases and 73 runs scored in 136 games. His shoulder injury could have been to blame, but it also doesn't make fantasy managers in mixed leagues confident that he can rebound coming off shoulder surgery.

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho (shoulder) sounds unlikely to be ready for Opening Day in 2025, according to general manager Ross Atkins. "I don't want to limit him, but based on history, that could be unrealistic," said Atkins. Nothing is guaranteed at this time in the offseason, but it sounds like the Blue Jays aren't going to rush the 28-year-old in his recovery from surgery that he had on his right shoulder in late September. We'll have a better idea of his recovery timeline when the calendars flip to 2025, but Varsho's fantasy value will obviously take a hit if he's not ready for Opening Day. The former second-rounder had another below-average offensive season in Toronto in 2024, slashing .214/.293/.407 with a .700 OPS, 18 home run, 58 RBI, 10 steals and 73 runs scored in 136 games. Varsho's declining offensive profile and recovery from shoulder surgery won't make him very attractive in fantasy drafts next year.