It was certainly a welcome back moment for Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho on Friday, as he homered in his first at-bat of the spring. Varsho hadn't played yet because of rotator cuff surgery that he underwent at the end of 2024.

Daulton Varsho, who won a Gold Glove last year in center field, is recovering from shoulder surgery and could make his spring debut as early as Friday.

This is a 2025 photo of Daulton Varsho of the Toronto Blue Jays Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in Dunedin, Fla. This image reflects the Blue Jays active roster on Feb.

Walker faced a Blue Jays lineup similar to the one they are expected to roll out on opening day, including regulars Bo Bichette, Daulton Varsho, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Anthony Santander, George Springer, Andrés Giménez, and Alejandro Kirk.

The defense is the biggest factor in Varsho’s recovery, as the Gold Glove winner is one of baseball’s best defensive players. Matheson figures Joey Loperfido is the top candidate to fill in for Varsho in center field if an IL stint is indeed required, though these early results provide some optimism that Varsho could be ready to go for March 27.

There is enough evidence, even halfway through spring training, to suggest that Walker is a different pitcher from last year's poor version.

Austin Riley and Matt Olson hit back-to-back home runs off Marcus Stroman and the host Atlanta Braves blasted the New York Yankees 11-1 in spring training action on Sunday in North Port, Fla.