Blue Jays’ Daulton Varsho: Out Against Southpaw

Jays’ Newcomer Benched in Not-So-Shocking Decision

Just a couple of months into the new season, the Toronto Blue Jays have made a strategic decision that, while not unexpected, is still worth discussing. Daulton Varsho will not play against left-handed pitchers. The reasoning behind this is to maximize the team’s offensive production and take advantage of situational match-ups.

Varsho’s Struggles Against Lefties

In 55 career plate appearances against left-handed pitchers, Varsho has slashed a mere .150/.254/.250. These numbers are significantly lower than his overall career slash line of .237/.305/.416. This disparity suggests that Varsho has a significant platoon split, and the Blue Jays are simply trying to exploit it.

Manager John Schneider’s Explanation

Blue Jays manager John Schneider explained the decision, saying, “We’re just trying to put our best lineup out there every day. We know Daulton is a great hitter, but he’s struggled against lefties in his career. We think this is the best way to give us the best chance to win.”

Potential Impact on the Blue Jays

Varsho’s absence against left-handed pitchers could have a significant impact on the Blue Jays’ lineup. He is one of the team’s best hitters, and his bat will be missed in certain situations. However, the Blue Jays have a number of other options to fill his spot, including Raimel Tapia, Bradley Zimmer, and Whit Merrifield.

Conclusion

The Blue Jays’ decision to bench Varsho against left-handed pitchers is a sound one. The team is simply trying to maximize its offensive production and take advantage of situational match-ups. While Varsho’s absence will be felt, the Blue Jays have the depth to overcome it.