Daulton Varsho will soon take another massive step in his recovery from shoulder surgery as he inches closer to beginning a rehab assignment.

The recovering Toronto Blue Jays centre-fielder, who began this season on the 10-day injured list to continue rehabbing from last September’s procedure, played the field Tuesday in a live game — albeit an extended spring training contest — for the first time in 2025. He played six innings before reaching his scheduled departure and was only required to make routine throws to the infield in that span.

According to manager John Schneider, Varsho’s next steps will include starting a rehab assignment with single-A Dunedin, which could occur this weekend. But first, he and his wife, Brook, are expected to welcome a new baby into the world on Wednesday.

Varsho, who’s scheduled to participate in batting practice in Dunedin on Tuesday before joining his wife at the hospital, will likely play a handful of games with the D-Jays before finishing his rehab at triple-A Buffalo. If all goes well, chances are he’ll return before the end of April.

The 28-year-old outfielder has spent the last few weeks advancing his throwing progression, which ramped up to 200 feet last Saturday, clearing him to test his shoulder during live-game reps.

In Varsho’s absence, the Blue Jays have relied on the likes of George Springer, Myles Straw and Nathan Lukes in centre — those three have combined for three defensive runs saved and two outs above average across 153.1 combined innings thus far.

Collectively, the team has received 1.1 FanGraphs’ wins above replacement from that position this season, tied with the San Francisco Giants for third-most in the majors, trailing only the Los Angeles Angels (1.2) and Tampa Bay Rays (1.3).

There’s no replacing Varsho’s value, though, particularly in the outfield. From 2022-24, no other outfielder recorded more DRS (76), OAA (44) or a higher fielding run value (48) than last season’s AL Gold Glove Award winner — the first of his career — for centre field.

The left-handed-hitting outfielder served exclusively as a DH for Toronto in spring training, clubbing four home runs and driving in nine while slashing .242/.297/.697 over 12 Grapefruit League games.