It is no secret that the injury bug has been biting the Toronto Blue Jays big time so far this season. They have had several players sidelined this campaign, and outfielder Addison Barger is among them. Barger has not played for Toronto since April 5 against the Chicago White Sox due to a left ankle injury. However, the 26-year-old outfielder did play in his first rehab game for Single-A Dunedin on Sunday, and it went as well as the Blue Jays had hoped.
Barger certainly impressed in his first rehab game with Single-A Dunedin. During the bottom of the fourth inning, the 2018 sixth-round pick hit a two-run home run to right-center field to give Dunedin a 2-0 lead.
BARGER BOMBS ARE BACK💣@BlueJays rehabber Addison Barger leaves the yard to put Dunedin on the board! pic.twitter.com/u0aYYxTNFt
— Dunedin Blue Jays (@DunedinBlueJays) May 3, 2026
Barger hitting a home run in his first game with Dunedin is undoubtedly great to see. The Blue Jays will certainly need the Bellevue, Washington native to do more of this once he officially returns to their lineup.
Barger struggled immensely at the plate to kick off this season. In eight games with the Blue Jays before suffering his injury, he had just one hit in 19 at-bats, which equates to an ugly .053 batting average. With this, Barger smashing a big home run in his first game with Dunedin not only looks great for a player working his way back from an ankle injury, but also trying to find their timing at the plate again as well.
Blue Jays will be hoping to see more of this kind of hitting from Barger
As Barger continues his rehab assignment, the Blue Jays will be hoping to see him continue to shine as he shakes off the rust. It would be excellent for the Blue Jays if Barger has his confidence back once he is officially given the green light to return to the major league roster.
Barger certainly has the potential to make a significant impact when he is playing at his best. He showed this during this past season, as he set career highs with 21 home runs, 32 doubles, 74 RBI, and a .243 batting average. With this, the Blue Jays are going to need him to bounce back once he is back in their lineup. This is especially so when noting that the Blue Jays are trying to climb back up the standings.
It will now be interesting to watch if Barger can stay hot after hitting that home run with Dunedin. If he does, it would be great news for a Blue Jays club that needs all the help it can get right now.