The Toronto Blue Jays have been on a tear, winning 12 of their last 14 and earning a playoff spot, while the Arizona Diamondbacks are hot in the National League with a 9-4 record this June. Their matchup brings to mind last year's pivotal trade, sending Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and top prospect Gabriel Moreno to the D-backs in exchange for Daulton Varsho. Initially viewed as a lopsided deal, especially after Arizona reached the World Series, the narrative is shifting as Varsho's defensive prowess begins to showcase his value.

Manager John Schneider acknowledges that while Varsho's offensive stats have been underwhelming, his gold-glove defense and leadership are invaluable. In contrast, Gurriel and Moreno have thrived in Arizona, significantly contributing to their postseason success. This evolving perspective on the trade illustrates how both teams may ultimately benefit from their decisions, as the Blue Jays adapt to a new model of play focusing on defense over slugging.

Injuries are a reality in fantasy baseball, especially during the 2025 season. As we analyze potential waiver wire pickups, several players are emerging as valuable stash options for fantasy managers looking to optimize their rosters.

Max Scherzer of the Toronto Blue Jays is a notable name, currently rostered in only 32% of Yahoo leagues. After a thumb injury sidelined him, Scherzer is set for a rehab start, and if he can regain his elite form, he could be a significant contributor to fantasy teams upon his return. Yimi Garcia, also of the Blue Jays, is expected back from shoulder fatigue with a respectable ERA of 3.15, making him an appealing choice for managers needing relief pitching.

Meanwhile, Wilyer Abreu of the Boston Red Sox, while already 60% rostered, is returning from an oblique injury and boasts impressive power stats, including 13 home runs this season. On the other hand, Ezequiel Tovar of the Colorado Rockies is a promising shortstop option, showing signs of solid hitting before his recent injury.

Lastly, Daulton Varsho, also with the Blue Jays, is worth monitoring as he recovers from an injury and has shown potential against right-handed pitching.

With their recent win, the Toronto Blue Jays have improved their record to 35-29, showcasing a remarkable turnaround after a rocky start to the season. This resurgence has seen them perform at a 100-win pace, placing them firmly in the American League's top wild-card position. Despite injuries sidelining key players like Max Scherzer, Anthony Santander, and Daulton Varsho, the Blue Jays have relied on unexpected contributors to maintain their momentum.

One of the standout performers has been Ernie Clement, leading the team in Wins Above Replacement. Alongside him, players such as Tyler Heineman and Brendon Little are contributing significantly, collectively amassing almost six WAR this season. The Blue Jays also boast one of the most potent offenses in the league, ranking among the top teams in runs scored recently, and their bullpen has been similarly impressive, ranking second in ERA over the last 30 days, suggesting a well-rounded team effort pushing them forward.

The Toronto Blue Jays are rejuvenated after a five-game winning streak, primarily fueled by an explosive offense that scored 39 runs in a four-game sweep against the Oakland Athletics. This surge has kept them in contention for an American League wild-card spot, with key players like Bo Bichette, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and George Springer leading the charge. However, their season has been marred by injuries, particularly affecting acquisitions like Andres Gimenez and Anthony Santander, who are currently on the injured list.

The bullpen has shown marked improvement, ranking ninth in the majors with a 3.47 ERA, a significant drop from last season's underwhelming performance. Jeff Hoffman has been solid, earning 13 saves, but the team faces challenges with their starting rotation. Veteran pitchers Jose Berrios, Kevin Gausman, and Chris Bassitt have been stable, but the absence of Max Scherzer due to injury has forced the team into utilizing bullpen games. Notably, Daulton Varsho's return provided a boost, but he faces his own injury woes now, which could affect the team's momentum.