Elevate your local knowledge

Sign up for the iNFOnews newsletter today!

Select Region

Selecting your primary region ensures you get the stories that matter to you first.

Blue Jays blank Phillies 3-0 as Varsho, Keys homer in Grapefruit League opener

Blue Jays blank Phillies 3-0 as Varsho, Keys homer in Grapefruit League opener | iNFOnews.ca
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Eric Lauer pitches in 1st inning spring training action against the Philadelphia Phillies in Dunedin, Fla. on Saturday Feb. 21, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

DUNEDIN — The Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 3-0 on Saturday in their Grapefruit League opener at TD Ballpark.

Daulton Varsho, who started at designated hitter, opened the scoring with a solo home run in the fifth inning, and first baseman Sean Keys added a two-run shot in the sixth.

Eric Lauer started on the mound and Toronto’s pitching staff held Philadelphia to four hits over nine shutout innings, while the Blue Jays recorded nine hits off Phillies pitching.

It was Toronto’s first game since a 5-4 extra innings loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 7 of the World Series.

The off-season brought significant change in Toronto, with all-star shortstop Bo Bichette leaving for the New York Mets in free agency and the Blue Jays signing infielder Kazuma Okamoto and right handers Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce to reshape the roster.

Okamoto arrived after an 11-year career with the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball. Cease joined following seven major league seasons with the Chicago White Sox and San Diego Padres, and Ponce came off a 17-1 campaign with the Hanwha Eagles that earned him MVP honours in South Korea’s KBO League.

Toronto continues its spring schedule Sunday against the Boston Red Sox.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 21, 2026.

Blue Jays blank Phillies 3-0 as Varsho, Keys homer in Grapefruit League opener | iNFOnews.ca
The Toronto Blue Jays line up for the anthems prior to the first spring training game against the Philadelphia Phillies in Dunedin, Fla. on Saturday Feb. 21, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
Blue Jays blank Phillies 3-0 as Varsho, Keys homer in Grapefruit League opener | iNFOnews.ca
Toronto Blue Jays Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Philadelphia Phillies bench coach Don Mattingly share a hug prior to spring training action in Dunedin, Fla. on Saturday Feb. 21, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
Blue Jays blank Phillies 3-0 as Varsho, Keys homer in Grapefruit League opener | iNFOnews.ca
Toronto Blue Jays Kasuma Okamoto signs autographs for young fans prior to spring training action against the Philadelphia Phillies in Dunedin, Fla. on Saturday Feb. 21, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
Blue Jays blank Phillies 3-0 as Varsho, Keys homer in Grapefruit League opener | iNFOnews.ca
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Tyler Rogers throws a warm-up pitch in spring training action against the Philadelphia Phillies in Dunedin, Fla. on Saturday Feb. 21, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

News from © The Canadian Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Create a free account

The Canadian Press

The Canadian Press is Canada's trusted news source and leader in providing real-time, bilingual multimedia stories across print, broadcast and digital platforms.

Related Articles