Daulton Varsho returns to Blue Jays’ lineup for series opener vs. Yankees

After being held out of the Toronto Blue Jays’ lineup for four straight days, Daulton Varsho will be back in centre field as the team opens a four-game set against the New York Yankees on Thursday.

Varsho was unable to run out a ground ball in the ninth inning of Saturday’s loss to the Cleveland Guardians due to what the team called left lower back tightness. The 27-year-old had been considered day-to-day with the injury throughout the Blue Jays’ series in Boston.

On Thursday, Varsho will be hitting eighth as southpaw Carlos Rodon and the AL East-leading Yankees head to Rogers Centre. Toronto’s leader in home runs is 2-for-3 off Rodon in his career with a double.

Bo Bichette will return to the leadoff spot, while Isiah Kiner-Falefa will handle the duties at second base and hit second with Spencer Horwitz starting on the bench.

Kiner-Falefa enters play Thursday on a 10-game hit streak with a .378 batting average and five RBIs over that stretch.

The Blue Jays will turn to Jose Berrios as they look to right the ship heading into July. The 30-year-old right-hander has struggled through four starts in June, pitching to a 5.56 ERA.

You can catch all the action on Sportsnet ONE and Sportsnet+, starting at 7:07 p.m. ET / 7:07 p.m. PT.

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