The Blue Jays have confirmed that outfielder Kevin Kiermaier has been placed on the 10-day injured list due to inflammation in his left hip flexor. Infielder/outfielder Addison Barger has been called up in response, and he is set to make his major league debut once he enters a game. Johnny Giunta from the Gate 14 Podcast first reported Barger’s promotion before the official announcement.
Kiermaier exited last night’s game due to discomfort in his left hip flexor. It’s worth noting that he underwent surgery on that hip back in July 2022 while playing for the Rays, which resulted in him spending the remainder of that season on the injured list.
Following his recovery from the surgery, he managed to maintain relative health with the Blue Jays in 2023. He appeared in 129 games last season, marking just the third time in his career he reached that figure and only the second since 2015.
This performance led to another one-year deal between him and the Jays for the 2024 season, although he has struggled thus far. Through 62 plate appearances, he has posted a batting line of .193/.246/.246. Now, he will undergo rehabilitation for this injury, and the duration of his absence from the field remains uncertain.
Fortunately for the Blue Jays, they have another strong defensive center fielder who can step up in his absence. Like Kiermaier, Daulton Varsho is renowned for his solid defensive skills in the outfield, and he has also been impressive with the bat this season.
Varsho has hit six home runs in his last 11 games and boasts a slash line of .250/.325/.569 for the year overall. While he has primarily played in left field alongside Kiermaier in center, he will now transition to center field and assume the majority of the playing time there.
The injury provides an opportunity for Barger to make his debut in the major leagues. At 24 years old, he was selected by the Jays in the sixth round of the 2018 draft, but it was in 2022 when he truly made a mark as a prospect.
During that season, he progressed from High-A to Double-A to Triple-A, hitting 26 home runs and posting a slash line of .308/.378/.555. Following that impressive performance, the Jays added him to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft, and Baseball America ranked him as the #4 prospect in the organization.
However, 2023 presented a setback for Barger due to an elbow injury, causing him to miss playing time. He only appeared in 88 Triple-A games, and his performance dipped to .250/.353/.403 during that period. Now, in 2024, he appears to have regained his health and form, boasting a slash line of .314/.435/.586 for the season.
With three home runs to his name, he’s exhibiting disciplined plate discipline, walking nearly as often as he strikes out, with a 16.5 percent walk rate compared to a 17.6 percent strikeout rate.
Barger has showcased versatility by playing multiple positions in the infield, while also gaining experience in right field over the past couple of seasons, a role that suits him well given his strong throwing arm. With Varsho anchoring center field, there are various options for the Blue Jays to shuffle their outfield alignment.
George Springer could occasionally shift from right field to left, or Barger could step in to provide support in left field. Alternatively, if infielders like Davis Schneider, Cavan Biggio, Ernie Clement, or Isiah Kiner-Falefa spend more time in the outfield, Barger could slot into the infield rotation.
Additionally, Barger’s left-handed bat adds balance to a predominantly right-handed lineup. With Kiermaier sidelined, the Blue Jays’ primary left-handed hitters are Varsho and Biggio. Although Daniel Vogelbach is also on the roster, his defensive limitations have restricted his playing time. Given that Justin Turner occupies the primary designated hitter role, Vogelbach has only made three starts as the DH this season, in addition to a few pinch-hit appearances.