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

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At this rate, fans will have to revisit and be forced to re-evaluate the trade that would see the Blue Jays acquire Daulton Varsho.

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When the 2023 season began in St. Louis, Varsho was slotted in the ill-advised clean-up spot.

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When the 2023 post-season unfolded, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Gabriel Moreno, who were shipped out of town, played key roles to helping lead Arizona to an appearance in the fall classic.

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 player not named Jose Berrios.

His glove, ability to anticipate plays in the outfield, his fearlessness, there are few in baseball residing in Varsho’s class when it comes to preventing runs.

It’s now his bat that is doing the damage in the all-important category of run production.

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Varsho needed 34 games last season to record his fifth home run.

One year later, Varsho hit the mark in his 21st game.

His fifth dinger — a three-run shot — came in the first inning Saturday night when the Jays jumped all over the host San Diego Padres for the second game in a row en route to a 5-2 win.

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

The Jays were aided by a San Diego error in the first inning that extended the inning.

He got on top of a high fastball on a 3-1 count with two outs to get the Jays off and running.

In his second at-bat, Varsho reached base on a double.

His night would end with a lead-off single in the ninth to give Varsho a three-hit game.

He stole second, advanced to third on a groundout and scored an insurance run when pinch hitter Ernie Clement went the opposite way for a single.

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

Getting George Springer, who was back in the lineup Saturday, to swing the bat better can’t hurt.

Still, 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 will give Toronto its first series sweep of the season.

Jays starter Jose Berrios was staked to a 3-0 lead, which seemed insurmountable given how well the righty has pitched.

When the Padres threatened, Kevin Kiermaier made a nice diving catch to end the fourth inning.

San Diego threatened again in its next at-bats.

A twisting, turning play by Springer resulted in a long and loud out off the bat of Fernando Tatis Jr. with runners at first and second.

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A walk would load the bases, bringing Manny Machado to the plate with two outs.

One pitch later, Berrios got out of the inning unscathed when Machado meekly popped out to third.

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.

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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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.”

fzicarelli@postmedia.com

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