Blue Jays' Addison Barger: Gaining traction in everyday lineup
Rotowire
Barger will start at third base and bat sixth in Sunday's game against the Guardians.
Barger has now been included in the lineup in five straight games, drawing three starts at third base and two in right field. The Blue Jays seem committed to deploying Barger in an everyday role, though he'll need to improve his production at the plate to build more job security. Since his April 15 call-up from Triple-A Buffalo, Barger has slashed just .147/.216/.235 over 13 games.
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Blue Jays' Addison Barger: Will see starts at third base
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Blue Jays manager John Schneider indicated Tuesday that Barger will see a significant amount of playing time at third base moving forward, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.
There will be fewer at-bats to be had in the outfield for Barger with Daulton Varsho (shoulder) back from the 10-day injured list, but it sounds like Barger will slide into the role vacated by Will Wagner, who was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo. Ernie Clement is at the hot corner Tuesday versus the Red Sox and could still see the bulk of the starts there, but Barger will get his fair share.
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Blue Jays' Addison Barger: Recalled from Triple-A
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The Blue Jays recalled Barger from Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday.
With Nathan Lukes placed on the paternity list, Barger gets the call to the big leagues after opening the season in the minors, where he slashed .211/.311/.421 with two home runs, seven RBI and six runs scored across 45 plate appearances. Barger will provide depth at third base and in the corner outfield spots for Toronto.
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Blue Jays' Addison Barger: Could be back with Toronto soon
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Barger may return to the major-league roster once Daulton Varsho (shoulder) is cleared to come off the injured list, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
The 25-year-old played well enough this spring to earn a place on the 26-man roster, but the Jays needed extra depth in center field with Varsho sidelined, and Barger is mostly limited to the infield and outfield corners defensively. Once Varsho rejoins the roster, which should happen early in April, it could free a spot up for Barger's bat after he went 11-for-30 (.367) in Grapefruit League action with two doubles, three homers and a 4:10 BB:K.
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Blue Jays' Addison Barger: Opening campaign in minors
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The Blue Jays are sending Barger to Triple-A Buffalo to begin the season, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Barger has had a terrific spring, slashing .367/.429/.733 with three home runs, six RBI, eight runs and a stolen base. Nonetheless, Toronto isn't able to find room for him on the Opening Day roster. Barger will begin the campaign in Triple-A, where's he spent the majority of the past two years, but there's a good chance he'll get a call-up to the majors at some point in 2025.
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Blue Jays' Addison Barger: Slugs third homer of spring
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Barger went 1-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.
The 25-year-old has put together a strong camp, batting .367 (11-for-30) in 15 Grapefruit League games with three homers, two doubles and a 4:10 BB:K. While Barger appears ticketed for a bench role with Toronto to begin the season, he could see semi-regular playing time while bouncing between third base, the outfield corners and DH.
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Blue Jays' Addison Barger: Back in action Thursday
Rotowire
Barger (hand) is in the lineup for Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles.
A hit-by-pitch Sunday prompted X-rays, which were negative. Barger is now ready to return to action and continue his bid for a spot on the Opening Day roster as a utility man. He split his time on the major-league roster last season between third base (36 games), right field (27 games) and left field (10 appearances).
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Blue Jays' Addison Barger: On bench against lefty
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Barger is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mets.
Barger has moved into a regular role against right-handed pitching, but the Blue Jays continue to shield the lefty-hitting utility man from southpaws. He'll cede duties at third base to Luis De Los Santos while southpaw Sean Manaea takes the hill for the Mets.
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Blue Jays' Addison Barger: Back in action Saturday
Rotowire
Barger (knee) will start at third base and bat seventh Saturday against Atlanta.
Knee soreness has prevented Barger from playing in Toronto's last two games, but the issue seems to have subsided ahead of Saturday's contest. The 24-year-old has been hot at the plate recently, recording a hit in 10 of his last 11 games while posting a 1.064 OPS in that span.
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Blue Jays' Addison Barger: Available off bench
Rotowire
Barger (knee) is feeling better and will be available off the bench for Friday's game against Atlanta, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
A knee issue has kept Barger sidelined since Tuesday, but he seems to be trending in the right direction. While his overall numbers this season remain underwhelming, Barger has an .827 OPS and seven homers in 30 games since his return to the majors in late July. He should see regular starts for Toronto when healthy.
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Blue Jays' Addison Barger: Battling knee issue
Rotowire
Barger was removed from Tuesday's game against the Phillies due to left knee discomfort.
Barger went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run before his knee caused him to come out of the game ahead of the seventh inning. There's no telling if he'll be available for Wednesday's contest, but an extended absence seems unlikely.
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Blue Jays' Addison Barger: Blasts walk-off home run
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Barger went 2-for-4 with a solo homer in a 5-4 win over the Angels on Friday.
Joey Loperfido and Barger jumped on Roansy Contreras in the ninth inning, going back-to-back to end the game. It was Barger's first career walk-off homer and the second time in Blue Jays history that rookies went back-to-back in the same game. Barger also became the 10th rookie in team history to hit a walk-off home run. He's started six of the Blue Jays' last seven games, with two long balls in that span.
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Blue Jays' Addison Barger: Belts first career homer Monday
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Barger went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Game 1 of Monday's doubleheader against Baltimore.
Barger didn't start either contest and didn't play at all in Game 2, but he enjoyed an MLB milestone n the matinee with a three-run homer -- his first career long ball -- in the fifth inning. The outfielder entered that contest in the second frame as a result of Justin Turner being pulled after he was dealt to the Mariners in a trade. Barger has played sporadically while with the big-league club, and that doesn't figure to change much in spite of Toronto's roster shakeup given his .174/.197/.261 slash line on the season.
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Blue Jays' Addison Barger: Settling in at third base
Rotowire
Barger will start at third base and bat sixth in Monday's game against the Red Sox.
Barger will stay in the lineup for the seventh time in nine games, with each of his last four starts coming at third base. He looks like he'll be a priority over Ernie Clement at the hot corner while Isiah Kiner-Falefa shifts over to shortstop as a replacement for Bo Bichette (calf), who remains on the injured list. Since getting recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on June 14, Barger has gone 7-for-20 with a double, a walk, a stolen base, three RBI and three runs.
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Blue Jays' Addison Barger: Swipes first big-league bag
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Barger went 2-for-4 with a run scored, an RBI and a stolen base in Sunday's win over the Guardians.
Getting the start in right field and batting seventh, Barger stole the first bag of his MLB career after he led off the second inning with a single. The 24-year-old has started two straight games since his latest promotion, one in right and one at third base, and he's gone 3-for-7 with two RBI and a 1:2 BB:K. Barger could be in line for consistent playing time against right-handed pitching as the Jays look for an offensive spark.
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Blue Jays' Addison Barger: Sent back to minors
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The Blue Jays optioned Barger to Triple-A Buffalo on Friday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Barger struggled during his first stint in the big leagues, going just 1-for-18 with a 6:0 K:BB. He'll go back to playing every day with Buffalo while Nathan Lukes takes his spot on Toronto's roster.
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Blue Jays' Addison Barger: Expected to be promoted
Rotowire
Barger is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Buffalo prior to Wednesday's game in Kansas City, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Kevin Kiermaier exited Tuesday's game with hip flexor discomfort and could be headed to the injured list to open up room on the 26-man active roster for Barger. The 24-year-old has slashed .314/.435/.586 with three home runs and a 15:14 K:BB over 19 games with Buffalo this season. He's played right field and third base for Buffalo this season and would be making his major-league debut when/if he gets into a game.
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Blue Jays' Addison Barger: Sent to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Blue Jays optioned Barger to Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday.
Barger didn't have a realistic chance of making Toronto's Opening Day roster, but he still put on a show while in big-league camp with a .929 OPS in 19 plate appearances. The 24-year-old saw a lot of action in right field this spring, potentially setting him up for a promotion if George Springer goes down with an injury at some point this season.
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Blue Jays' Addison Barger: Getting work in right field
Rotowire
Barger has played a lot of right field so far in camp, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.
The 24-year-old played four different positions last season in the minors, including 20 games each at third base and shortstop, but the Blue Jays seem to view right field as Barger's best defensive fit. He won't break camp on the big-league roster, but should George Springer go down with an injury and Barger is swinging the bat well at Triple-A Buffalo, it could position him to make his MLB debut over the summer.
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Blue Jays' Addison Barger: No structural damage
Rotowire
Barger, who has been sidelined with Triple-A Buffalo since April 28, had his right elbow checked out last week by Dr. Keith Meister in Texas and there was no structural damage found, Scott Mitchell of TSN.ca reports.
This is positive news for Barger, who is now rehabbing at the Blue Jays' spring training facility in Florida. He was off to a slow start to the season prior to suffering the elbow injury. Barger is slashing .237/.333/.329 with one home run, one steal and a 31 percent strikeout rate in 20 games.
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