Toronto — Daulton Varsho of the Toronto Blue Jays launched a three-run homer in the eighth inning while Tampa Bay Rays catcher Danny Jansen watched from behind the plate during Tuesday night’s game at Rogers Centre, May 13, 2025. (Photo: Nathan Denette / The Canadian Press)
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho is back in action — and he’s never hit the ball harder.
Since returning from shoulder surgery that sidelined him for the first 28 games of the season, Varsho is making serious noise at the plate. On Tuesday night, he crushed two home runs in a tense matchup against the Tampa Bay Rays, showing off his raw power like never before.
His first homer of the night rocketed off the bat at 113.9 mph — the hardest-hit ball of his career. Not long after, he smashed a three-run shot that registered 113.6 mph. Though the Jays ultimately fell short in an 11-9 loss, Varsho’s hits were easily the standout moments.
He credits a minor change in his swing for the boost in power. “I’m just trying to stay short and quick to the ball,” Varsho said. “When I add extra movement, it doesn’t come off as strong.”
The three-run homer gave the Blue Jays a temporary 7-6 lead in the eighth inning. But Tampa Bay bounced back fast, scoring five times in the ninth. Toronto answered with a pair of RBI doubles from Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., trimming the lead to two. However, the comeback fizzled when Varsho popped out to end the game.
Despite the final out, Varsho remained upbeat about his performance. “I liked my at-bats,” he said. “I’m a bit frustrated about the last one, but we played hard from top to bottom. That’s what makes it sting.”
In just 10 games this season, Varsho is hitting .222 but already has five home runs and 11 RBIs. For a player recovering from surgery, that’s promising. Blue Jays manager John Schneider believes Varsho is learning to trust his own game. “He’s figuring out who he is as a hitter,” Schneider said. “Confidence is everything, and he’s showing more of it every game.”
As for the bullpen, Tuesday was a rough outing for reliever Jeff Hoffman. Tasked with protecting a one-run lead in the ninth, Hoffman gave up five runs, including a grand slam to Junior Caminero. Schneider, though, isn’t losing faith. “Jeff’s been solid all season,” he said. “That pitch was high and inside — not even in the strike zone. He’s done a lot to help us win. I still trust him.”
Hoffman had picked up his eighth and ninth saves just days earlier in Seattle but struggled during last week’s series in Anaheim, giving up six runs across two games. With Tuesday’s loss, his record dropped to 3-2, and his ERA jumped to 6.05.
The Jays now look to regroup after a wild game filled with both heartbreak and hope — especially with Varsho’s bat heating up again.
