Barger went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's 8-3 loss to the Rays.
Barger's two homers this season have come over the last four games. His multi-hit effort Thursday salvaged a difficult divisional series for the third baseman, who was 0-for-7 with three strikeouts across the previous two contests to follow up a five-game hitting streak. On the year, he's at a .231/.286/.415 slash line with nine RBI, seven runs scored, six doubles and no stolen bases over 70 plate appearances. Barger has started seven games in a row at third base and will likely continue to see ample playing time until Andres Gimenez (quadriceps) is able to return.
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Blue Jays' Addison Barger: Swats first homer of season
Rotowire
Barger went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, a walk and an additional run scored in Sunday's 9-1 win over the Mariners.
Barger's bat is warming up -- he's gone 8-for-18 (.444) over the last five games, driving in six runs in that span. His homer Sunday was his first of the year. Overall, he's .batting .241 with a .712 OPS, eight RBI, six runs scored and six doubles through 59 plate appearances. Barger has settled in as the everyday third baseman since Ernie Clement shifted over to second base to cover the absence of Andres Gimenez (quadriceps).
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Blue Jays' Addison Barger: Three doubles in win
Rotowire
Barger went 3-for-4 with three doubles, two RBI and one run scored in Friday's 6-3 win over the Mariners.
Barger had his best game of the season to date. He opened the scoring with a two-run double in the first inning and continued to put together good at-bats throughout the contest, with all three of his two-baggers registering exit velocities of 109 mph or greater. The Blue Jays have some moving parts now after Andres Gimenez (quadriceps) landed on the 10-day injured list, and that could open up third base for Barger on a regular basis with Ernie Clement moving over to second. Even though he's been making consistent hard contact -- Barger's AEV of 95.5 mph would be tied with Aaron Judge for third in the majors if he had enough plate appearances to qualify, and his 76.1 mph average bat speed would also be a top-10 mark, coming in just behind the likes of Shohei Ohtani and Pete Alonso -- he's hitting just .222 with a .641 OPS, no home runs, five RBI, three runs scored and no stolen bases over 49 plate appearances. He has racked up six doubles, but he hasn't been able to translate that into over-the-fence power consistently just yet.
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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
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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: Expected to play Wednesday
Rotowire
Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Tuesday that Barger (hand) is expected to return to Grapefruit League action Wednesday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Barger was hit on the hand by a pitch Sunday, but X-rays came back negative, and Barger went through a normal day of work Tuesday morning. He's avoided a serious injury. Barger should have a chance to carve out a reliable role at third base and in the outfield for Toronto this spring after slashing .197/.250/.351 with seven home runs, 28 RBI and 20 runs across his first 225 big-league plate appearances last season.
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Blue Jays' Addison Barger: Day-to-day with swollen hand
Rotowire
Barger (hand) will try to hit Monday and is considered day-to-day, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Per manager John Schneider, Barger's right hand is swollen and he had a blood blister after getting hit by a Garrett Crochet pitch Sunday. The Jays game was rained out Monday, but Barger wasn't in the lineup, although it sounds like he'll get back in there once the swelling in his hand goes down. Barger showed up to camp in great shape and has intriguing tools (plus bat speed, above-average foot speed) if he can earn a role either in the outfield or at third base.
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Blue Jays' Addison Barger: X-rays return negative
Rotowire
Barger was confirmed to have suffered a bruised right hand after X-rays came back negative Sunday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Barger exited Sunday's spring game with the injury after being struck by a pitch during the opening frame, but he appears to have avoided a serious injury. The 25-year-old will be held out of the lineup for a day or two but shouldn't end up missing much time.
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Blue Jays' Addison Barger: Pulled with right hand injury
Rotowire
Barger was removed from Sunday's Grapefruit League game against Boston due to a right hand contusion.
Barger suffered the injury when he was hit by a Garrett Crochet pitch in the first inning. The initial diagnosis of a contusion provides optimism that the 25-year-old isn't dealing with a major issue, though the Blue Jays will likely want to further evaluate the injury. Barger is expected to use spring training to make a case for playing time with the Blue Jays, and he could eventually push Ernie Clement for a starting role at third base if he plays well early on.
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