Addison Barger was pulled from John Schneider's lineup Sunday, another bad turn for a Blue Jays club that had just gotten him back.
The timing is what stings. Barger had returned Saturday after missing more than a month with a left ankle sprain, then made the loudest play of the game in Toronto's 14-1 win over the Angels.
He cut down Jorge Soler at the plate with a 101.2 mph throw from right field, the hardest tracked outfield assist by any player in MLB this season.
Now, 1 day later, he is out again.
That changes the shape of Sunday fast. Toronto came into the afternoon trying to finish a 3-game sweep, but instead of building on Barger's return, Schneider had to reshuffle the card at the last minute.
The updated lineup shows Ernie Clement leading off, Daulton Varsho batting second, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hitting third as the designated hitter, and Tyler Heineman catching out of the 9 spot. Jesús Sánchez moved into right field, while Myles Straw stayed in left.
That tells you how sudden this was. Barger had been set for a major role near the top of the order, and his removal left Toronto leaning on depth again instead of the bat and arm it badly missed for weeks.
Barger's return lasted 1 game before another scare
This is what makes the scratch feel heavier than a normal pregame change. Barger's original injury already cost him more than a month after he landed on the injured list on April 7 with a left ankle sprain.
His first game back was supposed to mark a reset. Instead, it now feels like the Blue Jays are back in the same waiting game, hoping this latest issue does not send him right back off the field.
And that matters because Barger is not just another extra outfielder on this roster. Toronto has spent weeks searching for impact, and he gave them one almost immediately with that throw home on Saturday.
He also said after the game that throwing from the outfield is one of his favorite parts of baseball. That line hit because he looked loose, healthy, and fully back in the action.
Sunday wiped out that feeling in a hurry.
For Schneider, the bigger concern now is simple. The Blue Jays can patch a lineup for 1 afternoon. They cannot afford to lose Barger all over again just as he was starting to reenter the middle of everything.
Should the Blue Jays play it safe with Addison Barger after this late scratch?
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