Varsho's Absence Hits Jays' Offense

0:00It's April 20th, I'm Corey with The Story, and this is MLB News Today, your AI-powered baseball briefing. Toronto Blue J Center filter Dalton Varsho is day-to-day after managers pulled him from Friday's game as a precaution. That means the team is without one of their key outfielders for at least one night, scrambling to fill the Gavin Center. With George Springer, nursing a left-to-big toe fracture, and Addison Barger, dealing with a left ankle sprain, neither is close to returning. They haven't. They started running yet, so figure at least another week. The Jays have five healthy outfield options on the roster. Iloy Jimenez, Nathan Luke's, J.Zoo Sanchez, Davis Schneider, and Miles Straugh. For Saturday's match-up, they slotted Luke's and lead-off in right field. Sanchez fourth and left, and Jimenez fifth as designated hitter. Varsho's absence hurts because he's been a spark plug offensively, batting mostly second or sixth with a 333 average in the two hole. That's all his home runs in most RBI's there.

1:01This season in 19 games, he's slashing 262 over 333, over 462, with 3 homers and 7 RBI's. Last year, despite missing time for shoulder surgery and a hamstring strain, he crushed 20 homers and 55 RBI's in just 71 games, while flashing goal-glove plays in center. The Jays lineup has struggled overall, so keeping Varsho's side mine even briefly could stall their momentum. Managers are hoping he bounces back quick. To get that offense firing again in...