Daulton Varsho DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

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.