Toronto Blue Jays' Daulton Varsho Not Ruling Out Being Healthy Enough For Opening Day

Varsho had rotator cuff surgery at the end of 2024 and made his spring training debut on Friday, but he's not sure if he'll be able to play defense by March 27.

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho (5) hits a home run against the Detroit Tigers in the first inning during spring training at TD Ballpark on Feb 28. / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho made his return to the lineup on Friday, blasting a home run in his first spring training at-bat, but he still isn't sure if he'll be ready to play defense by Opening Day.

Varsho had right rotator cuff surgery at the end of 2024.

Per Keegan Matheson of MLB.com:

Defensively, Varsho says that this is all truly a day-to-day progression, but his next step is to start throwing over 80 mph regularly.

Once he's at that number, he can start throwing to bases (simulating a game). Still 'TBD' on Opening Day, but it could be close. #BlueJays

Defensively, Varsho says that this is all truly a day-to-day progression, but his next step is to start throwing over 80 mph regularly.

Once he's at that number, he can start throwing to bases (simulating a game). Still 'TBD' on Opening Day, but it could be close. #BlueJays

— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) February 28, 2025

A standout defender, Varsho won the gold glove in center field last year for the American League. It's unclear if the Jays would use him at designated hitter if he's unable to play defense. While he has some power, he's hit just .217 since arriving in Toronto before the 2023 season. He had 18 homers a season ago.

The Blue Jays are coming off a last-place finish in the American League East last season, having finished 74-88. In addition to eventually getting Varsho back from injury, they've gone out and added Santander, Max Scherzer, Andres Gimenez, Jeff Hoffman and Yimi Garcia. Thus, they feel much better about their chances this season.

The Jays made the playoffs in 2020, 2022 and 2023, but they've failed to win a single game in any of those appearances.

Toronto continues Grapefruit League play on Saturday against the Atlanta Braves at 1:05 p.m. ET.

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