Daulton Varsho is headed to the IL, and it will cost him the Wild Card Series.

The Astros placed the former Blue Jays outfielder on the 10-day injured list Thursday, retroactive to Wednesday, with left wrist inflammation.

That's the same wrist issue that's dogged him throughout the season, including an earlier IL stint back in June while still with Toronto.

His season isn't over, though. If Houston wins the AL West, Varsho would miss the Wild Card Series entirely, but he'd remain eligible to return for the ALDS.

That distinction matters. A 10-day IL stint lines up almost perfectly with the layoff between an AL West-winning team's bye and the start of the Division Series.

Why the corresponding moves reflect a thin outfield mix

Houston selected Jorge Barrosa from Triple-A Sugar Land and designated right-hander Jason Alexander for assignment as the corresponding roster moves.

Barrosa adds outfield depth and defensive value while Varsho is out, giving Houston coverage at a position that's already been shuffled constantly this season.

Varsho's underlying production has been rough since arriving in Houston, making his specific absence less costly than it would be for a healthier version of himself.

Still, losing any outfield option during a stretch this important adds real pressure to an Astros roster trying to lock down the division and set its playoff lineup.

For Toronto, this is simply another chapter in a season-long storyline of Varsho's tenure in Houston struggling to find its footing, continuing to complicate how last summer's trade ultimately gets remembered.

Whether he's healthy and ready to contribute by the time the ALDS arrives depends on how his wrist responds over the next 10 days.