What to know
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was left out of the Blue Jays’ starting lineup for a second straight game as he manages his sore hamstrings, with manager John Schneider saying the absence is for rest rather than an injury.
- Guerrero first sat out Wednesday’s win over the Houston Astros after appearing uncomfortable during Tuesday’s loss, and will also miss Thursday’s game against the Chicago Cubs, with Kazuma Okamoto and George Springer filling in.
- Although there’s no timeline for Guerrero’s return, the Blue Jays bounced back without him on Wednesday, defeating the Astros 5-4 after dropping Tuesday’s game 7-2.
- Fans have largely backed the decision to rest Guerrero, saying time off could help him recover, regain his form and avoid lingering issues ahead of a potential playoff push.
Toronto Blue Jays fans are rallying behind first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. after he was kept off the team’s starting lineup for the second game in a row.
Guerrero was left out of Thursday’s starting lineup against the Chicago Cubs after also missing Wednesday’s 5-4 win over the Houston Astros.
This followed Tuesday’s game against the Astros, where Jays reporter Keegan Matheson said Guerrero looked “uncomfortable” as the game finished up.
This time off continued to Thursday’s game, where Kazuma Okamoto and George Springer will take Guerrero’s place as starting baseman and designated hitter.
Coach Schnieder told reporters after Tuesday’s game that Guerrero wasn’t dealing with any injury, and that his hamstrings were tight and tired.
Schnieder went on to describe Wednesday’s absence for the baseman as “time off.”
Despite a tough game on Tuesday, where the Jays lost to the Astros 2 to 7, Guerrero himself went 0-for-3 with a walk in his fourth plate appearance.
The team was still able to clinch the win on Wednesday without Guerrero’s strong right hand, taking the game 5 to 4 from the Astros.
So far, there’s no word on when Guerrero will return to bat.
Online reaction
While Guerrero is expected to be out of his second game, fans weren’t too disappointed, with most supporting the decision for time off.
“Vladdy out of the lineup. Good, he needs a break. Should keep him out multiple games,” one fan on X wrote.
Others agreed, showing appreciation for the decision.
“Thank you for giving Vlad some rest. We’ll figure this out. Let’s win a ball game!!!” another Jays fan on X said.
Another fan said that taking him off was good to keep him at his best ahead of the playoffs.
“I think Vladdy taking a day (or more) is a good idea, especially if playoffs are not in reach. Can’t have him with lasting damage,” the fan explained on X. “If they do want to push for the playoffs, then Vladdy will need to be as close to 100% healthy as he can get; right now he is not.”
Some fans speculated that Guerrero is attempting to push himself too much during his past few games.
“Easy to forget that he was hitting .358 through the first 30 games of the season because of how badly his average has plummeted since then, with virtually no slug either,” one fan on X explained. “To me, it seems like a physical ailment or ailments he’s trying to play through because of his big contract.”
Still, fans seem to be supporting the decision to keep him out of the lineup.
“Vladdy will dig deep and find his way again. He is not a quitter and one of the best ball players ever and a great human being 🕊️”
The Toronto Blue Jays face the Chicago Cubs on Thursday with Okamoto taking Guerrero’s place in the starting lineup.
