The Toronto Blue Jays are set to welcome back one of their biggest stars this weekend as All-Star first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. prepares to return from the seven-day concussion injured list.
Manager John Schneider confirmed the move during the club’s series against the New York Yankees, signaling that Guerrero will be activated in time for action in New York.
Guerrero had been sidelined since August 15 after an awkward collision in a previous matchup with the Yankees. A wild throw from first baseman Luis Garcia Jr. sailed past third base, and as Guerrero raced home to score, he took a knee to the head from Yankees shortstop George Lombard Jr. Though he completed the play, Guerrero immediately left the game and was later placed on the concussion list.
His absence forced the Blue Jays to scramble at first base. Over the past six games, the team has leaned on a mix of Kazuma Okamoto, Brandon Valenzuela, and Charles McAdoo to fill the void.
While those players have handled the position with varying degrees of success, the return of a six-time All-Star and one of the game’s most dynamic hitters marks a significant boost for a lineup that has been missing its primary power threat.
Guerrero’s activation is not entirely without complications. The club must still make a corresponding roster move to clear space for him, and that decision appears linked to the health of shortstop Andrés Giménez.
Giménez has been dealing with a hamstring issue sustained during the series against the Tampa Bay Rays and was held out of the lineup for the Yankees series opener, with Ernie Clement taking his place at shortstop.
Schneider indicated the team would evaluate Giménez’s condition during pregame workouts before finalizing any roster adjustment.
The fact that Guerrero traveled with the team to New York suggested his return was imminent, and Schneider’s confirmation removes any remaining uncertainty.
For a Blue Jays squad fighting through the heart of the season, getting their cornerstone first baseman back healthy could provide both an offensive lift and a psychological lift at a critical juncture.
As the series against their American League East rivals continues, all eyes will be on Guerrero’s first at-bats and on whether Giménez can also return to full strength.
The coming days should offer a clearer picture of how Toronto’s infield and lineup will look with both key pieces potentially available again.
