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Varsho back in Blue Jays lineup, Bichette still sidelined against Diamondbacks
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    Varsho back in Blue Jays lineup, Bichette still sidelined against Diamondbacks

    Daulton Varsho is back just in time to face his former team.

    The Toronto Blue Jays will have Varsho back in left field Friday against the Arizona Diamondbacks after the 28-year-old left Wednesday’s game early against the San Francisco Giants with a left knee contusion.

    Varsho, of course, was acquired from Arizona in exchange for Gabriel Moreno and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. in December 2022.

    This will be the first time Varsho is back playing at Chase Field since the Diamondbacks played the Blue Jays in Toronto in 2023.

    Varsho is slashing .196/.281/.389 with 11 home runs this season. He also leads MLB outfielders in defensive runs saved with 19, splitting time between left and centre field.

    Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette remains out of the lineup after suffering a right calf strain during Wednesday’s game.

    Bichette, 26, owns a .595 OPS through 79 games this season and spent time on the injured list with another calf strain earlier this year.

    Leo Jimenez will continue to handle duties at short. The 23-year-old has five hits through his first five games and was worked two walks.

    The Blue Jays will hand the ball to Yariel Rodriguez, who has allowed just one earned run over his last two starts, racking up a combined 12 strikeouts over 12.2 innings against the Houston Astros and Seattle Mariners.

    You can watch as Toronto opens its final series of the first half against the Diamondbacks on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+. First pitch is scheduled for 9:40 p.m. ET / 6:40 p.m. PT.

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    The Toronto Blue Jays received some good news as catcher Daulton Varsho returned to the lineup for their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Varsho had been dealing with a minor injury that kept him out of the lineup for a few games, but he was deemed healthy enough to play on Friday night.

    Varsho’s return is a welcome sight for the Blue Jays, as he has been a key contributor to the team’s success this season. The 25-year-old has been solid behind the plate, providing strong defense and handling the pitching staff well. He has also been a reliable hitter, batting .278 with 12 home runs and 42 RBIs in 82 games.

    On the other hand, shortstop Bo Bichette remains sidelined with a hand injury and was not in the lineup against the Diamondbacks. Bichette has been dealing with the injury for a few weeks now and has been limited in his ability to swing the bat. The Blue Jays are being cautious with their young star, as they want to make sure he is fully healthy before returning to action.

    Bichette’s absence is certainly felt by the Blue Jays, as he has been one of their best hitters this season. The 23-year-old shortstop is batting .299 with 22 home runs and 73 RBIs in 108 games, providing a spark at the top of the lineup.

    Despite Bichette’s absence, the Blue Jays are still in a good position to make a push for the playoffs. They currently sit in third place in the American League East and are within striking distance of a wild card spot. With Varsho back in the lineup and other players stepping up in Bichette’s absence, the Blue Jays will look to continue their winning ways and make a strong push towards the postseason.