Blue Jays' Addison Barger: Scratched with sore elbow
Rotowire
The Blue Jays scratched Barger from the starting nine for Sunday's game against the Angels due to a sore right elbow.
Barger had been slated to bat leadoff and start in right field, but he'll end up hitting the bench while he tends to an injury to his throwing arm. Ernie Clement is now in line to serve as Toronto's table setter in the series finale, while Myles Straw was a late addition to the starting outfield. After a month-long stint on the injured list due to left and right ankle sprains, Barger was activated Saturday and went 0-for-3 with two walks and a run scored in the Blue Jays' 14-1 victory.
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Blue Jays' Addison Barger: Makes impact on defense in return
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Barger went 0-for-3 with two walks and a run scored in Saturday's 14-1 win over the Angels.
Making his return from a month-long stint on the IL due to sprains on both ankles, Barger wasn't able to get anything going with his bat, but he did make a stunning defensive play. With the game still scoreless in the second inning, Barger caught what should by all rights have been a sacrifice fly by Vaughn Grissom to right field, but instead he unleashed a throw at 101.2 mph that got Jorge Soler at the plate for an inning-ending double play -- the top velocity on any outfield assist in the majors this season, per Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. Barger hit second in the game, and that could become his usual spot in the lineup against right-handers, as the Jays try to get him better pitches to hit by parking him in front of Vladimir Guerrero.
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Blue Jays' Addison Barger: Reinstated from IL
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The Blue Jays reinstated Barger (ankle) from the injured list Saturday.
Barger has been sidelined by ankle issues since early April, but he's been playing in minor-league rehab games since Sunday. The 26-year-old went 2-for-9 with a pair of homers and three RBI during his three-game assignment and will now reclaim his role as Toronto's primary right fielder. Yohendrick Pinango was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move.
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Blue Jays' Addison Barger: Expected back this week
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Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Monday that Barger (ankles) being activated from the 10-day injured list on Friday would be a "worst-case scenario,"Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.
Barger slugged a home run in his first rehab game with Single-A Dunedin on Sunday and will suit up for the affiliate once again Tuesday. He could rejoin the Blue Jays after that and be activated as soon as Wednesday, but a return Friday for the start of a homestand seems likelier. Barger has been sidelined since early April after spraining both of his ankles.
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Blue Jays' Addison Barger: Homers in first rehab game
Rotowire
Barger (ankles) went 1-for-2 with a walk and a two-run home run while serving as the designated hitter in his first rehab game with Single-A Dunedin on Sunday.
The Blue Jays have not revealed their plans for Barger's rehab assignment, but Keegan Matheson of MLB.com suggests the likely plan is for Barger to fly north with the major-league club from Tampa on Wednesday night after he plays in a couple more games with Dunedin. Further, Matheson says Barger should be expected to slide right back into five starts per week for Toronto upon his return from the IL, despite the 26-year-old's 1-for-19 start before the injury.
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Blue Jays' Addison Barger: Progressing in recovery
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Blue Jays manager John Schneider told reporters Monday that Barger (ankles) will start running Tuesday, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.
Barger continues to progress in his recovery from sprained left and right ankles, and he has done enough to be cleared to start running. He may not need to embark on a rehab assignment and could be back with the Blue Jays for the start of their homestand Friday against the Guardians.
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Blue Jays' Addison Barger: Resumes baseball activity
Rotowire
Barger (ankles) resumed baseball activity at the Blue Jays' complex in Florida this week and is expected to begin swinging the bat Friday or Saturday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Barger has played catch the last two days, and returning to hitting and running are the next steps in his recovery from sprained left and right ankles. Barger is expected to resume running Tuesday or Wednesday of next week and will go from there. While eligible to come off the injured list Friday, that doesn't appear to be a realistic target for Barger. Perhaps he'll be back with the Blue Jays for the start of their next homestand against the Guardians on Friday, April 24.
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Blue Jays' Addison Barger: Shut down through Monday
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Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Friday that Barger (ankles) will remain shut down from baseball activities through Monday's off day, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Barger is dealing with soreness in both ankles, though he's experiencing more discomfort in the left ankle. He is eligible to return from the 10-day injured list April 16, but given that he won't resume baseball activities until two days before that date, it's likely Barger will require more down time.
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Blue Jays' Addison Barger: May only miss minimum
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Barger (ankle) might only miss the minimum 10 days on the injured list, MLB.com reports.
The 26-year-old sprained his left ankle after landing on first base awkwardly Sunday while attempting to beat out a grounder, and he was placed on the IL on Tuesday, retroactive to April 6. Barger has been off to a slow start at the plate, batting .053 (1-for-19) through eight games, so the time off could allow him to reset.
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Blue Jays' Addison Barger: Not in Tuesday's lineup
Rotowire
Barger (ankle) is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Dodgers.
Barger will sit Tuesday for a second straight game after exiting Sunday's matchup with the White Sox due to bilateral ankle discomfort. Manager John Schneider said Monday that the 26-year-old was "trending in the right direction" but couldn't rule out the possibility of a stint on the injured list. Nathan Lukes is starting in right field Tuesday for Toronto.
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Blue Jays' Addison Barger: Injury downplayed by manager
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Manager John Schneider said Sunday he hopes Barger (ankles) is out for "just a day or two, or maybe not even a day," Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.
He departed Sunday's game with bilateral ankle discomfort, with Schneider confirming Barger hurt both ankles on a play at first base early in Sunday's game. Schneider's comments suggest there's a chance Barger will return early this week. He should be considered day-to-day in the meantime.
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Blue Jays' Addison Barger: Departs with ankle issues
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Barger was removed from Sunday's game against the White Sox due to bilateral ankle discomfort, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.
Barger went 0-for-3 before being replaced by Jesus Sanchez in right field for the bottom of the sixth inning. The severity of the injury is unclear, so Barger should be considered day-to-day until more information is available.
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Blue Jays' Addison Barger: Taking seat again Wednesday
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Barger is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rockies.
After sitting against right-handed starter Ryan Feltner on Tuesday, the left-handed-hitting Barger will remain on the bench for the series finale while southpaw Kyle Freeland takes the hill for Colorado. Jesus Sanchez will spell Barger in right field and will bat seventh.
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Blue Jays' Addison Barger: Idle vs. southpaw
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Barger is not in the Blue Jays' starting lineup against the Athletics on Saturday.
With left-hander Jeffrey Springs taking the mound for the Athletics on Saturday, Barger will open the contest in the dugout while the Blue Jays go with Davis Schneider, Daulton Varsho and Myles Straw in the outfield from left to right. Barger went 0-for-4 with a strikeout on Opening Day on Friday.
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Blue Jays' Addison Barger: Makes history in Game 1 win
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Barger went 2-for-2 with a grand slam during Toronto's 11-4 victory in Game 1 of the World Series against the Dodgers on Friday.
Having already scored three runs in the sixth inning, Toronto was on the verge of taking full control of Friday's contest when Barger entered the game to hit for Davis Schneider. With the bases loaded, Barger slugged a 413-foot home run into center field off lefty Anthony Banda, marking the first pinch-hit grand slam in World Series history. The 25-year-old Barger has gone deep in two of his last three playoff games and is slashing .324/.405/.622 through 42 plate appearances in the postseason.
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Blue Jays' Addison Barger: Idle for Game 2
Rotowire
Barger is out of the lineup Sunday for Game 2 of the ALDS against the Yankees.
The left-handed-hitting Barger will dodge a matchup with southpaw Max Fried in Game 2. Ernie Clement will slide to third base while Isiah Kiner-Falefa plays second base Sunday.
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Blue Jays' Addison Barger: Out of Toronto lineup
Rotowire
Barger is not in the lineup for Friday's contest versus the Orioles.
The Blue Jays haven't faced many left-handers lately, but the left-handed-hitting Barger has been out of the lineup each of the last three times they've gone up against a southpaw. George Springer will be in right field and Ernie Clement will play third base Friday versus Trevor Rogers and the Orioles.
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Blue Jays' Addison Barger: Out of Tuesday's lineup
Rotowire
Barger is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Reds.
Barger started the previous six games but will take a seat Tuesday after going 4-for-22 with a double, two RBI and eight strikeouts during that span. Nathan Lukes will shift to right field, which opens up left field for Davis Schneider.
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Blue Jays' Addison Barger: Idle Saturday
Rotowire
Barger is not in the Blue Jays' starting lineup against the Dodgers on Saturday.
Barger will begin Saturday's game on the bench, with Myles Straw in right field and Buddy Kennedy drawing the start at third base. Barger has logged two hits in three of his last four games and has gone 9-for-29 (.310) with two home runs and eight RBI in seven games since the beginning of August.
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Blue Jays' Addison Barger: Resting up Wednesday
Rotowire
Barger is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rockies.
With a lefty (Kyle Freeland) on the hill for the Rockies and with the Blue Jays wrapping up their series in Denver with a day game after a night game, Toronto manager John Schneider likely viewed it as an opportune time to give the left-handed-hitting Barger a breather. Barger had started in each of the Blue Jays' last 15 games, slashing .219/.275/.438 with three home runs, 12 RBI and 10 runs during that stretch.
