BREAKING NEWS: Blue Jays Confirms The Signing Of Another Star
In Dunedin, Florida, Daniel Vogelbach, the newest addition to the Blue Jays, arrived at the spring training clubhouse on Monday morning and received a warm welcome from an old teammate. Yusei Kikuchi, a pitcher for the Jays, had formed a close bond with Vogelbach back when they played together for the Seattle Mariners in 2019.
During their time in Seattle, Kikuchi, who was new to North American baseball and often reserved, found support and friendship in Vogelbach, who helped him navigate the challenges, particularly with language barriers. This gesture left a lasting impression on Kikuchi.
OFFICIAL: We’ve signed DH Daniel Vogelbach to a Minor League deal with an invite to Major League #SpringTraining. pic.twitter.com/FWCyEo221F
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) February 18, 2024
Their friendship deepened over time, and when Kikuchi’s son Leo was born in July 2019, he and his wife decided to honor Vogelbach by naming their son after him, choosing Daniel as Leo’s middle name. When Vogelbach and Kikuchi reunited on Monday, Vogelbach’s first words were about Kikuchi’s son, demonstrating the bond they shared.
Kikuchi expressed his anticipation to see Vogelbach, referring to him as a good friend who had been supportive. Kikuchi’s English skills have improved significantly since their time in Seattle, allowing for smoother communication with teammates and coaches, a change Vogelbach noticed right away.
Meanwhile, Monday marked a busy day at camp as all position players were required to attend medical checkups. Among them was Vlad Guerrero Jr., who appeared noticeably slimmer and more toned after intensifying his offseason training regimen.
The first full-squad workouts for the Jays were scheduled for Tuesday, leading up to their Grapefruit League opener on Saturday against the Philadelphia Phillies at TD Ballpark.