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Blue Jays: Alek Manoah pitched two innings and Daulton Varsho hit a home run in their rehab game
Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Two Toronto Blue Jays big leaguers are working their way back.

On Sunday afternoon, both Alek Manoah and Daulton Varsho appeared in a Florida State League game for the Dunedin Blue Jays in a rehab appearance. Let’s take a look at how they did.

Starting with Manoah, the pitcher started the game for the D-Jays, going two innings with three hits allowed, one earned run, and two strikeouts. The 27-year-old threw 19 sinkers, which averaged 93.3 mph and reached a maximum velocity of 94.3 mph. Manaoh also threw four four-seam fastballs, three sliders, and two changeups. The former ace generated four whiffs on 13 total swings.

It’s pretty clear that the goal of this rehab start was to throw the fastball, and it was a much better start than his last time out. In that outing on Monday, Manoah allowed three earned runs, two walks, and threw 10 strikes.

As for Varsho, he hit a three-run home run to give the D-Jays a 4-1 lead. It came off the bat at 101.1 mph and went an undisclosed distance. Overall, Varsho was 1-3, but drove in an additional run as he grounded out in the bottom of the third.

If Varsho can return to the Blue Jays and hit as he did before his injury, that’ll make an already dangerous Blue Jays lineup even more dangerous. In the big leagues, Varsho is slashing .207/.240/.543 with eight home runs in 100 plate appearances for a 103 wRC+, on top of fantastic defence in centre field.

Despite two big leaguers appearing in the D-Jays game on Sunday, they weren’t the best players. Their 2022 draftee, Tucker Toman, hit two home runs, his third and fourth home runs of the season. He’s had a hot bat in recent weeks.

On the pitching side of things, Johnny King had another terrific outing, striking out nine batters and walking four in four scoreless innings. His fastball averaged 93.6 mph, but touched 95.5 mph. King also generated 13 whiffs on 28 total swings for a 46% whiff percentage.

This article first appeared on Bluejaysnation and was syndicated with permission.

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