Daulton Varsho’s Return to Blue Jays After Rehab Grind: Building Momentum for Success

Daulton Varsho nears return After Off-Season Shoulder surgery

DUNEDIN, Fla.—Toronto blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho is on the cusp of returning to game action after undergoing rotator-cuff surgery in September 2024. His journey back to the field has been marked by rigorous rehabilitation and a newfound understanding of his body and swing mechanics.

The Road to Recovery: From Tractor to Tee

Varsho’s off-season began unexpectedly when his surgery sidelined him from his usual outdoor projects at his wisconsin property. “I couldn’t do anything besides being on the tractor,” he said, referring to his limited mobility during his initial recovery phase.

Unable to perform tasks like moving rocks around his property, Varsho redirected his focus to the demanding process of rehabilitation. He engaged in intensive rehab work three times a day, supplementing it with his regular workout routine. The recovery process, characterized by difficulty sleeping and monotonous exercises, tested his resolve.

Despite the challenges, Varsho maintained a positive outlook. “Anybody who’s been through a rehab process like this, you know there are going to be bad days,” he acknowledged.”From those bad days, what can you take into understanding (of), what did I do well?” He emphasized the importance of recognizing when to ease off and understanding the reasons behind any setbacks, highlighting the patience required during recovery.

Spring Training Debut: Designated Hitter Duties

Varsho’s hard work is set to pay off as he is slated to make his spring training debut as the designated hitter when the Blue Jays take on the Detroit Tigers, Feb 28, 2025. While his initial action will be limited to hitting, he has recently cleared thresholds for baserunning activities. The primary hurdle remaining before he can resume his role in center field is his throwing,which he is gradually building up to 120 feet.

According to Varsho, “You’re trying to get intensity so that when you do back up, you’re not using the bigger muscles, you’re using your rotator cuff again, your labrum, to be able to finish and be able to do what I want to do, spin the ball correctly, instead of pushing it. We’ll eventually get to where we need to stretch it out.”

Mindfulness and Mechanical Adjustments

The rehabilitation process has had an unexpected benefit, fostering mindfulness and a deeper understanding of his swing. Varsho notes, “This process helped me slow down with my swing, understand my moves a little bit more, understand my mechanics. I took it for granted that I was doing certain things. like understanding how to throw a baseball correctly – you’re reteaching yourself how to throw.”

He believes this newfound awareness will be invaluable in navigating the challenges of the season. “Hitting in the box, what are the moves I’m doing, so that when I go through funks during a season, I have something to go back to, slow me back down and this is what I need to do, A, B and C, to be able to get through it. The rehab helped me helped me with, it’s OK to relax and reset and get back to being grounded and normal.”

Looking Ahead: Pairing Offense with Defense

Since joining the Blue Jays in December 2022, Varsho has focused on improving his offensive output to complement his defensive skills. Last season, he posted a .214/.293/.407 batting line with 18 home runs. While similar to his 2023 performance, his OPS+ improved from 84 to 98, indicating a 14% improvement relative to the league average.

Manager John Schneider acknowledges the positive impact of Varsho’s time away from the game, stating that “whenever the game is taken away, you can be sorry for yourself or you can think about ways you want to improve — Daulton definitely did the latter.” This period of reflection allowed Varsho to identify and address areas for improvement in his game.

Trust and Confidence

Varsho expresses confidence in his physical and mental readiness. He now has “some simple cues for myself, knowing that my hands are going to start my swing and if my left hand works correctly, I’m going to be above the baseball, trusting what I do the best.”

During his first live batting practice, he swung and foul-tipped a pitch “and that was a checked box, knowing I can do it, it feels normal, there’s no worry behind it.” He added, “Ever as then, it’s like, ‘OK, I’m good.’”

Conclusion: The Final Stretch

Daulton Varsho’s journey to recovery is nearing its end. With his spring training debut on the horizon, he is poised to demonstrate the fruits of his labor. Having gained critical insights into his body and swing during the rehab process, Daulton Varsho is eager to return to the field and contribute to the Blue Jays’ success in 2025. Keep an eye on Daulton Varsho this season; his dedication and newly refined approach may make him a key player for the Blue Jays.

What are Daulton Varsho’s goals for the upcoming Blue jays season?

Daulton Varsho: Back in Action – An Interview with the Blue Jays’ Resilient Outfielder

As spring training gets underway, the Toronto Blue Jays are gearing up for another exciting season. After overcoming a challenging off-season recovery from shoulder surgery, outfielder Daulton Varsho is eager to reclaim his spot in the lineup. Archyde’s Jays expert,Emily Baker,caught up with Varsho to discuss his journey back to the field and his insights on the upcoming season.

Emily Baker (EB): Welcome back, Daulton! It’s great to have you with us today.Let’s dive right in. How would you describe yoru off-season recovery process?

Daulton Varsho (DV): thanks for having me, Emily. The recovery process was, well, it was a process. I had to take a step back from my usual routine and focus on rehab. It was tough at times, with some monotonous exercises and difficulty sleeping, but I tried to stay positive and learn from the experiance.

EB: You mentioned staying positive. Can you share more about how you maintained that mindset throughout your rehab?

DV: Absolutely. I think anybody who’s been through a rehab process like this knows there are going to be bad days. But instead of dwelling on the negatives, I tried to learn from those days.What did I do well? How could I apply that to push through?

EB: Your resilience and positive attitude are inspiring. Let’s talk about your spring training debut. How do you feel ahead of your upcoming DH appearance?

DV: I’m excited, to be honest. It’s been a while since I’ve been able to play in a game, so I’m ready to get back out there. I’ve been slowly building up my throwing and activities, and my body feels good. I trust my mechanics and my approach, so I’m looking forward to it.

EB: Your manager, John Schneider, praised your dedication during this time off. How has this period of reflection helped you grow as a player?

DV: Thank you. It’s given me a chance to slow things down, both with my swing and my mindset. I’ve gained a new recognition for the little things, like understanding my mechanics better and knowing what I need to do to get back on track when I face challenges this season.

EB: You’ve always been praised for your defense. Now that you’re working on pairing that with improved offense, what are your goals for the upcoming season?

DV: I want to continue building on the similarities in my stats to last season but with an improved OPS. I’ve made some mechanical adjustments, and I feel more confident in my approach at the plate. I’m really striving to be a well-rounded player for this team.

EB: Lastly, Daulton, for our readers, what thought do you have for fans as thay look forward to the upcoming Blue Jays season?

DV: I’d tell them to be excited. We’ve got a great team here in Toronto, with a lot of young talent.we’ve proven we can compete,and I genuinely believe we have what it takes to make this season special. So, buckle up, Jays fans—it’s going to be a fun ride!

We at Archyde can’t wait to see Daulton Varsho back in action this season. as he continues to rehab and improve, his contributions to the Toronto Blue Jays are poised to make a significant impact in 2025.