Daulton Varsho placed on the 10-day IL with a Grade 1 hamstring strain

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Some clarity on Daulton Varsho’s left hamstring injury was provided in the hours leading up to Sunday’s series finale against the visiting Athletics.

What’s clear is that the Jays will miss Varsho’s presence in the outfield and at the plate, regardless of whatever rotation the club cares to use moving forward in his absence.

By moving Varsho to the 10-day injured list, a key piece has effectively been removed from the roster.

The exact timeline for a return remains very much up in the air.

Per manager John Schneider, Varsho suffered a Grade 1 strain during Saturday’s win when he crushed a ball high off the wall in left field, this after George Springer had just hit a home run.

As Varsho rounded the bag at second base hoping to stretch it into a triple, he grabbed the back of his left leg.

He tried to one-hop it to third base, but was tagged out.

Once Varsho pulled up on the bases, the Jays’ dugout turned silent.

There’s been nothing silent about the way Varsho plays, one of the very few who leaves everything out on the field no matter the score or time in the game.

The plan is to evaluate Varsho on a week-to-week basis.

A Grade 1 strain is considered the mildest version, but soft tissue injuries are delicate and it would be surprising to see Varsho back in the lineup this month.

The Jays’ injury list is beginning to overflow, a group that includes Anthony Santander, Yimi Garcia, Max Scherzer, Andres Gimenez, Tyler Heineman and Nick Sandlin.

At least Erik Swanson was activated off the IL Sunday, a move many expected given his presence in the clubhouse Saturday. The right-handed reliever made his season debut, pitching the eighth inning. And though he did give up a run, he wound up as the pitcher of record after the Jays scored six runs in the bottom of the frame.

Gimenez is the next candidate to be activated as early as Tuesday when the Phillies come to town for a three-game series.

Varsho began the season inactive following his off-season shoulder surgery and subsequent rehab.

In his absence, the Jays used this three-man rotation in centre field featuring Myles Straw, Nathan Lukes and George Springer.

Varsho’s latest absence will open the door for extended playing time in centre for Lukes and Straw.

Straw entered Saturday’s game in the wake of Varsho’s injury and started in centre in Sunday’s series finale as the Jays attempted to complete their four-game sweep.

Not having Varsho in the lineup also presents an opportunity for the likes of Jonatan Clase and Alan Roden.

Once Varsho was placed on the 10-day IL, it allowed the Jays to recall Davis Schneider, who started Sunday’s game at second base.

The move to activate Swanson off the IL meant Easton Lucas had to be optioned to triple-A Buffalo.