Blue Jays outfielder Addison Barger has been sidelined since early May due to an elbow injury, and it now seems he’ll be out even longer. Manager John Schneider tells the team’s beat that Barger has been diagnosed with a stress reaction in his back and will be shut down entirely for a couple weeks (via Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith).
Barger had been building toward a potential return to the Jays recently but began experiencing discomfort in his back while swinging. It’s not yet clear how much longer he can now be expected to miss, but Barger is a clear candidate for a move to the 60-day IL. He’s already missed 50 days and isn’t going to be back particularly soon, so the Jays can use this latest injury as a means of opening up a 40-man roster spot the next time the need arises.
It’s yet another health setback for the Jays in a season that’s seen far too many of them. Toronto has been hit particularly hard on the pitching side of things, with José Berríos (Tommy John surgery) out for the season and Cody Ponce (ACL tear) almost certainly done for the year as well. Shane Bieber missed the first half of the season and hasn’t been sharp in two starts since his recent activation. Max Scherzer has been on the IL multiple times. Trey Yesavage missed time to begin the season, too, and the Jays have endured absences from catcher Alejandro Kirk, center fielder Daulton Varsho and designated hitter George Springer. Outfielder Jesús Sánchez just landed on the injured list this weekend.
Barger’s absence has been a factor in a generally disappointing season for last year’s American League champs. The Blue Jays have hovered around .500 for much of the season, though an ongoing six-game losing streak has dropped them to 39-45. Barger ripped 21 home runs for them in only 502 plate appearances last season and did so while posting a sound overall .243/.301/.454 batting line. He was a thorn in the side of right-handers, in particular, belting 20 homers in 413 trips to the plate while holding the platoon advantage.
Barger’s increased absence and the Sanchez injury mean that young Yohendrick Piñango will get more run in left field. Varsho has center locked down, and right field belongs to Nathan Lukes more often than not these days. He’s hitting .310/.357/.439 in 170 plate appearances, and the 24-year-old Piñango has been solid in 143 trips to the plate: .276/.322/.440. Still, a healthy Barger would give the Jays a stronger bench mix, another option at third base and a generally strong bat against right-handed opponents. They’ll have to wait even longer on that luxury now, and his extended absence further strains an outfield group that no longer seems well equipped to handle another injury.
