Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Friday that Varsho (shoulder) is throwing from 150 feet but has not been cleared to throw during extended spring training games, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

EDGE Analysis

A rehab assignment does not appear imminent for the center fielder. Varsho did not have any problems hitting in spring training while working his way back from right shoulder surgery, but the Blue Jays want the Gold Glover to be ready to handle his full duties before he's activated from the 10-day injured list.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that Varsho (shoulder) felt good after playing catch out to 150 feet Monday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

EDGE Analysis

Varsho has been gradually increasing his throwing distance since the early stages of spring training, and the Blue Jays are confident that he's trending in the right direction as he works his way back from rotator cuff surgery, which he underwent last September. Varsho will likely need to extend his distance to around 175 to 200 feet before he would be considered ready to play the outfield in rehab games. Since Varsho is fully cleared to hit and was able to get in plenty of at-bats during the Grapefruit League as a designated hitter, he likely won't need a lengthy rehab assignment before the Blue Jays bring him back from the 10-day injured list. He could be trending toward a mid-April debut with the big club.

The Blue Jays placed Varsho (shoulder) on the 10-day injured list Thursday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com.

EDGE Analysis

Varsho produced a .994 OPS over 37 plate appearances as a designated hitter in spring training, but because much of his value is derived from his defense, the Blue Jays will stash him on the IL to begin the season while he waits to gain clearance to play center field. Though he's still on the mend from September surgery on his right shoulder, Varsho recently increased his throwing distance to 120 feet, so he may not need much time to complete his throwing progression before making his 2025 debut. His IL placement is retroactive to Monday, so he'll be eligible to debut as soon as April 4.

Varsho (shoulder) will begin the season on the injured list, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Varsho has been able to DH this spring with plenty of success, turning in a 1.126 OPS over 33 plate appearances. However, manager John Schneider has said that the 28-year-old would likely head to the IL if he hadn't been cleared to play in the field by Opening Day. Varsho has been throwing from 120 feet, but it doesn't seem like there's enough time to get him outfield-ready in time for the start of the season, so his 2025 debut will be delayed until at least April 6.

Manager John Schneider said Sunday that Varsho (shoulder) is likely to begin the season on the injured list if he's not cleared to play the outfield, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 28-year-old has been serving as a designated hitter in spring games while he continues to work through his rehab from September shoulder surgery, but Schneider apparently doesn't plan to carry that into the regular season. Varsho has extended his throwing distance to 120 feet, and the Blue Jays are expected to make a decision on his availability for Opening Day by the end of the week. Any potential absence to begin the season likely wouldn't be lengthy for the outfielder.

Varsho (shoulder) went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles.

EDGE Analysis

While the Blue Jays still aren't sure if Varsho will be ready to handle defensive duties by Opening Day, the 28-year-old is doing everything he can to convince the team his bat needs to be in the lineup, even if it's at DH. He's gone yard in back-to-back games after taking Cade Povich deep for a two-run shot in the fifth inning Thursday, and through seven appearances this spring Varsho is batting .350 (7-for-20) with a double, a triple and four home runs. He's on schedule with his throwing progression with two weeks to go ahead of Toronto's season opener, so there's still a good chance the Gold Glove center fielder will be in his usual spot March 27 against Baltimore.

Varsho (shoulder) threw out to around 105 feet Thursday and could be cleared to play the outfield by the time the Blue Jays open their season March 27 versus the Orioles, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

After he underwent surgery on his right shoulder Sept. 23, Varsho's availability for the start of the 2025 season appeared to be in peril, but the 28-year-old appears to be progressing well in his recovery. Though he hasn't yet been cleared to resume playing the outfield, Varsho has been able to stay on track with his normal spring hitting progression by serving as a designated hitter in six Grapefruit League games and going 5-for-16 with three home runs. A reigning Gold Glove Award winner, Varsho brings a good amount of his value in center field, but the Blue Jays could be open to deploying him as a DH to begin the season if he needs a little extra time to complete his throwing program.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider played catch with Varsho (shoulder) from 90-to-100 feet Sunday and said it was "probably the best" the 28-year-old has felt, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Varsho will continue to extend the distances of his throwing as he works his way back from right shoulder surgery. The Blue Jays have not ruled Varsho out for Opening Day, although it's unclear whether he would be ready to play the outfield by then. He's looked good at the plate this spring as a designated hitter, going 4-for-13 with two home runs and a 1:3 K:BB.

Varsho (shoulder) went 1-for-2 with a walk and a solo home run in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.

EDGE Analysis

He lofted a Taijuan Walker offering over the right-field fence in the first inning, giving Varsho his second long ball of the spring. The 28-year-old has been limited to DH duties so far as he completes his recovery from shoulder surgery, but he's homered in each of his first two Grapefruit League appearances and has been optimistic he'll be able to avoid an IL stint to begin the regular season.

Varsho (shoulder) said Friday that it's "TBD" as to whether he will be ready in time for Opening Day, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Blue Jays manager John Schneider implied at the beginning of camp that he expected Varsho to need some time on the injured list to start the season, so avoiding the IL is probably still unlikely. However, Varsho isn't ruling it out. The 28-year-old homered out of the designated hitter spot Friday in his Grapefruit League debut, and it's possible Toronto will consider carrying him on its Opening Day roster even if he's only able to DH initially. Varsho has extended his throwing distance to 120 feet and the next step is to start throwing over 80 mph regularly.