Jose Berrios wasn’t as sharp, but the RHP did notch his fourth victory

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At this rate, Blue Jays fans will be forced to re-evaluate the trade that saw the Blue Jays acquire Daulton Varsho.

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Last season, Varsho provided a solid outfield glove after coming over in an off-season trade from the Arizona Diamondbacks. But from the moment he was, in an ill-advised move, slotted into the cleanup hole in the Jays’ opening-day lineup in St. Louis, his bat was inconsistent at best and his final numbers reflected that.

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By the time the 2023 post-season unfolded, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Gabriel Moreno, who were shipped to Arizona in exchange for Varsho, were playing key roles to helping lead Arizona to a berth in the World Series against Texas and diehards of the Jays were left to lament a trade many viewed as ill-timed and one-sided.

More comfortable in his second season with the Blue Jays, Varsho has arguably been the team’s best position player, a distinction cemented even further on Saturday night in San Diego when he led Toronto to a 5-2 victory over the Padres with his bat, his glove and his base-running.

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The Jays left-fielder was all over the boxscore, going 3-for-4 at the plate with his fifth home run of the season, a double, two runs scored and three RBIs.

Varsho needed 34 games last season to record his fifth home run. One year later, he has hit the mark in his 21st. His three-run shot in the first inning off a 3-1 fastball, propelled the Jays into an early lead they would not give back.

All five of Varsho’s homers have come during an eight-game stretch.

Following his ninth-inning single, Varsho stole second, advanced to third on a groundout and scored an important insurance run when pinch-hitter Ernie Clement went the opposite way for a single.

As long as Varsho and Justin Turner continue to produce, no one should be critical of the team’s middle of the order.

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Continuing his excellent defensive work from the night before, Varsho was at it again in the home half of the sixth inning when he made yet another extra-base-saving catch near the wall, his third off-the-charts defensive play in two games. With his glove, his ability to anticipate plays in the outfield, his speed and his fearlessness, there are few in baseball residing in Varsho’s class when it comes to preventing runs.

He wasn’t alone on this night, either. When the Padres threatened, Kevin Kiermaier made a nice diving catch to end the fourth inning.

San Diego then had something going again in the fifth, with runners at first and second, but right-fielder George Springer made a twisting, turning catch of a deep fly ball off the bat of Fernando Tatis Jr.

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With the victory, the Jays are assured of winning their fourth series in the row, regardless of Sunday’s outcome, before they head off to Kansas City for a four-game set. A win Sunday would give Toronto its first series sweep of the season.

Jose Berrios, who wasn’t at his best, went six innings to extend his scoreless streak to 21.1 innings. All five of San Diego’s hits off Berrios were singles.

IL FOR GREEN

When he was ruled unavailable for the series finale against the visiting Yankees, it was felt Chad Green’s shoulder soreness would be short term.

Turns out it will be a longer.

The reliever has been placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to April 17.

Green has been diagnosed with a right teres major strain.

Medically speaking, the muscle is located in the upper back and is responsible for shoulder extension, adduction and internal rotation.

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The most common symptoms of a teres major muscle injury include pain and tenderness in the upper back and shoulder, weakness or difficulty moving the arm and swelling or bruising in the affected area.

Going back to spring training, the Jays’ bullpen has endured its share of adversity.

When Jordan Romano and Erik Swanson were each recalled following their rehab stint in the minors, the odd-man out was Nate Pearson.

With Green going on the IL, Pearson has been recalled.

In other pitching news, the Jays traded Mitch White, who was DFAed the same day Romano and Swanson were called up, was traded to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for cash considerations.

Y-ROD IS GOOD

Perhaps a more thorough analysis of Yariel Rodriguez will be established once opposing hitters get used to his mix of pitches that has certainly played well two starts into his time in the big leagues.

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In two starts, the Cuban-born right-hander has two no-decisions, but in each game the Jays won, including Friday night’s series-opening 5-1 win over the Padres.

In each start, Bowden Francis followed Y-Rod and earned both wins.

Y-Rod’s four-inning outing Friday night featured seven strikeouts, three hits, including a solo blast, and one walk.

“I was more relaxed,” said Rodriguez through a translator when describing the difference from his first start. “I feel very strong.”

Rodriguez pitched for Cuba in the World Baseball Classic in 2023, but he did not play professionally.

“I think the splitter was really good,’’ said Jays manager John Schneider during his post-game availability. “A lot of swing and miss.

“I thought he was outstanding.”

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