TORONTO – Daulton Varsho was tracking a deep fly ball off Jarren Duran’s bat near the warning track at Rogers Centre when he tried to turn to his right and ended up tripping over his own feet.
“I said a profanity word in my head,” laughed Varsho afterwards. “But then I was like, ‘Alright, where’s the ball?’ and just tried to do everything I can to try and catch it.”Varsho managed to get up on one knee, glance over his shoulder, and catch the ball with his back to home plate for a highlight-reel catch, one of the few bright spots in the Toronto Blue Jays’ 10-2 loss to the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday.Varsho said that he thought Duran’s fly ball was going to fall for a triple, embarrassing the Gold Glove outfielder in his season debut after a long recovery following shoulder surgery last September. Story continues below advertisement
if ( typeof( gn_monetize ) !== 'undefined' && typeof( gn_monetize.Ads ) !== 'undefined' && gn_monetize.Ads.initialRequestMade() ) {
// Ads script has been loaded, create the ad.
gn_monetize.Ads.create( {"sizes":"[300,250]","biddable":true,"id":"gpt-ad-300250-10","lazy":false,"targeting":{"pos":10,"slotid":"gpt-ad-300250-10"},"companion":false} );
} else {
// if Ads script not yet loaded, queue up ad data for initialization.
var gnAdSettings = gnAdSettings || {};
gnAdSettings.ads = gnAdSettings.ads || [];
gnAdSettings.ads.push( {"sizes":"[300,250]","biddable":true,"id":"gpt-ad-300250-10","lazy":false,"targeting":{"pos":10,"slotid":"gpt-ad-300250-10"},"companion":false} );
}
“You work on it all the time, taking your eyes off the ball,” said Varsho. “When I fell, I was like, ‘oh boy, it’s gonna be somewhat near me, but I saw it kind of really quick, and kind of stuck out my glove.”Varsho was activated off the 10-day injured list by the Blue Jays just hours before Toronto opened its three-game series with Boston. It was Varsho’s first game of the season after starting the year on the IL.
Related Videos
1:41
Blue Jays sign Guerrero Jr. to $500M USD extension: reports
Blue Jays sign Guerrero Jr. to $500M USD extension: reports
Blue Jays ready to kick off new season
Bo Bichette going viral for openly flirting with trade
‘God bless Bo Bichette’: Blue Jays fan hit by ball takes it all in stride
Toronto Blue Jays fan hit in face by 110mph foul ball
Holdfast ball diamond gets much needed upgrade
Metrolinx, TTC ramps up service to accommodate influx of Eclipse watchers, sports fans
Phase 2 of renovations unveiled at the Rogers Centre
Blue Jays season opener win leaves fans optimistic
Baseball is Back: Blue Jays kicks off season against Rays
Previous Video
Next Video
“Just be myself,” Varsho said before the three-game series opener on what his expectations were heading into the game. “Don’t try to do too much and just be yourself and go out there and play.”
Get breaking National news
For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
Sign up for breaking National newsletter
Sign Up
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.
When Varsho does that, he’s been very effective.Varsho hit .214 with 18 home runs and 58 runs batted in last season. His defensive prowess is where he has the biggest impact, however, earning his first-ever Gold Glove last season. Story continues below advertisement
if ( typeof( gn_monetize ) !== 'undefined' && typeof( gn_monetize.Ads ) !== 'undefined' && gn_monetize.Ads.initialRequestMade() ) {
// Ads script has been loaded, create the ad.
gn_monetize.Ads.create( {"sizes":"[300,250]","biddable":true,"id":"gpt-ad-300250-11","lazy":true,"targeting":{"pos":11,"slotid":"gpt-ad-300250-11"},"companion":false} );
} else {
// if Ads script not yet loaded, queue up ad data for initialization.
var gnAdSettings = gnAdSettings || {};
gnAdSettings.ads = gnAdSettings.ads || [];
gnAdSettings.ads.push( {"sizes":"[300,250]","biddable":true,"id":"gpt-ad-300250-11","lazy":true,"targeting":{"pos":11,"slotid":"gpt-ad-300250-11"},"companion":false} );
}
He was second on Toronto in Wins Above Replacement last year, a statistic that attempts to measure a player’s overall impact on a team including defence. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., led the Blue Jays with a 6.2 WAR and Varsho was 5.0.His highlight-reel catch on Duran underscored that.“That was incredible. That was one of the best catches I’ve ever seen in my life,” said Boston slugger Alex Bregman. “I wish he wouldn’t have because it would have been a nice triple for Jarren, but you’ve got to tip your hat to him there.
More on Sports
More videos
Abreu’s three-run blast helps Red Sox rout Jays
Blue Jays activate Varsho off injured list
Blue Jays activate Varsho off injured list
Blue Jays recall OF Clase, move Burr to IL
Canucks confirm head coach Rick Tocchet will not return next season
Saskatoon AAA Stars reflect on national silver medal at 2025 Esso Cup
Huskie Football Foundation hosts NFL’s Luke Willson at annual Dogs Breakfast
Saskatchewan Rush advance to NLL semi-finals with playoff victory over Georgia
“That was an unbelievable play.”Varsho recently completed a rehab assignment with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons. Tuesday’s game was the start of his third season in Toronto after he was traded by the Arizona Diamondbacks to the Blue Jays in December 2022 for Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Gabriel Moreno.He’s a career .225 hitter with a .414 slugging percentage and 79 home runs over five seasons in Arizona and Toronto.“It’s one of those things where you’re not surprised, but it’s always a surprise,” said Toronto starter Bowden Francis, who had already been pulled from the game. “He’s incredible out there.”
Trending Now
Jagmeet Singh to resign as NDP leader after losing B.C. seat
Carney says projected Liberal win comes at ‘hinge point in history’
Blue Jays manager John Schneider had Varsho bat sixth. Varsho was 0 for 3 on Tuesday but drew a walk and felt optimistic about his performance at the plate. Story continues below advertisement
if ( typeof( gn_monetize ) !== 'undefined' && typeof( gn_monetize.Ads ) !== 'undefined' && gn_monetize.Ads.initialRequestMade() ) {
// Ads script has been loaded, create the ad.
gn_monetize.Ads.create( {"sizes":"[300,250]","biddable":true,"id":"gpt-ad-300250-12","lazy":true,"targeting":{"pos":12,"slotid":"gpt-ad-300250-12"},"companion":false} );
} else {
// if Ads script not yet loaded, queue up ad data for initialization.
var gnAdSettings = gnAdSettings || {};
gnAdSettings.ads = gnAdSettings.ads || [];
gnAdSettings.ads.push( {"sizes":"[300,250]","biddable":true,"id":"gpt-ad-300250-12","lazy":true,"targeting":{"pos":12,"slotid":"gpt-ad-300250-12"},"companion":false} );
}
“For me, it’s just like, ‘OK let’s shrink the zone, get a good pitch to hit,'” said Varsho. “Trust in that process. Shrink the zone, get my pitch in the middle, and do damage.”Varsho’s return also meant that veteran outfielder George Springer would have a relatively light evening as designated hitter instead of filling in for Varsho in centre. It’s expected Springer will split time in right field with Anthony Santander going forward.“It puts George in a better mood. I think he’s happier than Varsh,” joked Schneider pre-game. “I think everyone knows (Varsho), likes him and appreciates his game.“It makes your lineup better, it makes your defence better, just having his personality here is huge.”Toronto also activated right-handed pitcher Casey Lawrence a day after claiming him off waivers from Seattle. Right-hander Paxton Schultz and infielder Will Wagner were optioned to Buffalo in corresponding moves.Schneider said that right-handed reliever Erik Swanson (carpal tunnel syndrome) would pitch for the Single-A Dunedin Blue Jays later Tuesday. Righty Ryan Burr (right shoulder inflammation) faced live batters earlier in the day.Surefire Hall of Famer righty Max Scherzer (thumb) threw off the mound again and right-handed reliever Nick Sandlin (right lat strain) still has no timeline for his return.This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 29, 2025. Story continues below advertisement
if ( typeof( gn_monetize ) !== 'undefined' && typeof( gn_monetize.Ads ) !== 'undefined' && gn_monetize.Ads.initialRequestMade() ) {
// Ads script has been loaded, create the ad.
gn_monetize.Ads.create( {"sizes":"[300,250]","biddable":true,"id":"gpt-ad-300250-13","lazy":true,"targeting":{"pos":13,"slotid":"gpt-ad-300250-13"},"companion":false} );
} else {
// if Ads script not yet loaded, queue up ad data for initialization.
var gnAdSettings = gnAdSettings || {};
gnAdSettings.ads = gnAdSettings.ads || [];
gnAdSettings.ads.push( {"sizes":"[300,250]","biddable":true,"id":"gpt-ad-300250-13","lazy":true,"targeting":{"pos":13,"slotid":"gpt-ad-300250-13"},"companion":false} );
}