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Blue Jays Dealt Unfortunate News Before White Sox Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Josh E. Valdez | Last updated Jun 21, 2025 1:37 PM ET

The Toronto Blue Jays are better than the Chicago White Sox, but that means nothing on a game-to-game basis. The White Sox showed that by blowing out the Blue Jays 7-1 at the Rogers Centre to open their series on Friday night.

Right-handed reliever Spencer Turnbull (1-1, 7.11 ERA) opened the game for Toronto and gave up four runs in two innings before southpaw Mason Fluharty (3-1, 4.55 ERA) allowed three runs in one inning. Chicago did a bullpen game with better results, highlighted by southpaw Tyler Alexander's (4-7, 5.25 ERA) four-inning scoreless outing.

The Blue Jays also received an unfortunate update before Saturday's rematch, via MLB.com's Keegan Matheson.

"News: Addison Barger is out of the lineup with right hip discomfort," he reported.

The 25-year-old infielder/outfielder is slashing .270/.332/.500 with eight homers and 24 RBI in 53 games.

News: Addison Barger is out of the lineup with right hip discomfort. #BlueJays
— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) June 21, 2025

Toronto drafted Barger in the sixth round of the 2018 MLB Draft and called him up for the first time in April 2024. The 6-foot, 210-pounder slashed .197/.250/.351 with seven homers and 28 RBI over 69 games last season.

Right-handed pitcher Jose Berrios (2-3, 3.81 ERA) will start for Toronto on Saturday against Chicago right-hander Aaron Civale (1-3, 4.67 ERA). The Blue Jays will start Ernie Clement at third base and Nathan Lukes in right field, which are Barger's two regular positions.

Toronto is 1.5 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays for second place in the AL East and three games behind the New York Yankees for first. It's also 6-4 in its last 10.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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