Addison

Barger

Barger was in the mix for a bench role in spring training, but is headed back to the minors with Alan Roden somewhat unexpectedly making the roster. The 25-year-old hit .367 with three home runs and six RBI in 15 games this spring, but it wasn’t enough to make Toronto forget he hit .197 with seven home runs and 28 RBI in 69 games last year. Given his versatility, it’s likely Barger will appear in the majors this season, though he’ll have to improve his hitting to garner everyday at-bats.

The move isn’t completely unexpected since Varsho, who has been limited to DH this spring, is still working his way back from offseason shoulder surgery and needs some extra time to ramp-up his throwing program. The 28-year-old’s absence leaves the door slightly ajar for unheralded prospect Alan Roden, who has turned heads this spring. The most likely outcome involves some combination of Myles Straw, Nathan Lukes and Addison Barger breaking camp in part-time roles along with Davis Schneider. He’s likely facing a multi-week absence since he’ll require a minor league rehab assignment to get back up to full speed.

After he initially struggled in his MLB debut last summer, Barger made changes to his swing, “moving to a wider stance while scaling back his leg kick,” but Popkins urged him to spend this off-season going back to the approach that worked for him in the minors. “It’s hard to always fight against how you want to move naturally,” explained Barger. “It’s not necessarily an ego thing for me, the bigger moves, it’s not like I want to hit like that. It’s just the way I’ve always moved so it’s instinctual.” Back to his old stance, Barger has gone 10-for-27 this spring with two home runs and is fighting to make the team as a versatile player who can play first base, third base, and the outfield. Barger could be an intriguing gamble in AL-only or draft-and-hold formats right now.

Barger struggled mightily as a rookie last season, hitting .197/.250/.381 in 225 plate appearances, and entered camp as a long shot to make the Jays. However, he’s definitely helped his chances by starting off 8-for-21 with two homers. Will Wagner, a similar talent who was viewed as having a much better chance of claiming a spot, is 5-for-20 with no homers. One of the two figures to have a job as a lefty DH and occasional third baseman.

Barger has been out of action because of a contusion on his right hand near his index finger, but the 25-year-old is feeling well enough to go with plenty of time to get enough reps in to be ready for the regular season.

Barger was plunked in the hand by Red Sox’ left-hander Garrett Crochet on Sunday, but was able to avoid any significant injury. He’ll get a day or two to rest before returning to Grapefruit League action.

Ernie Clement will slide over to shortstop to replace Jimenez in the field and Addison Barger will play third base and hit seventh. It’s unclear how long Jimenez might be out for.

Barger’s stock might be further down than that of the PED-suspended Orelvis Martínez at this point. He’s hit just .204/.239/.395 in 177 major league plate appearances, and his defense at third has been a real problem. He just isn’t giving the Jays any reason to include him in their initial plans for next year.

The Jays are facing a lefty tonight, so Barger wasn’t going to be in the lineup anyway. He’ll likely be in there against righty Spencer Schwellenbach on Saturday.

Barger was 1-for-3 with a two-run homer off Phillies rookie Tyler Phillips in his first at-bat of the contest before being lifted for a defensive replacement in the seventh inning. There should be some additional clarity on his status in the coming days. Fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day for now.