Guerrero Returns After Collision and Seven-Day Absence

The Toronto Blue Jays activated first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. from the seven-day concussion injured list on Saturday, restoring him to the starting lineup for the second game of their series against the New York Yankees. Multiple outlets reported that Guerrero sustained the concussion in a collision with Yankees third baseman George Lombard Jr. while scoring a run in the previous series. He was placed on the injured list immediately and became eligible to return on the first day possible.

NBC Sports reported that Guerrero cleared the final concussion protocol after a minor-league rehab appearance. Manager John Schneider told reporters the 27-year-old passed all concussion tests and was cleared to play. Details of the rehab game varied slightly across accounts: NBC Sports noted he went 1-for-1 with a double and two walks for High-A Dunedin on Thursday, while another description carried by the same outlet stated he reached base safely in all three plate appearances for Low-A Dunedin. Sports Illustrated described him smoking a double in his first at-bat during the outing with Dunedin.

Guerrero returned to the No. 2 spot in the order and started at first base, as confirmed across reports from Heavy., Sports Illustrated and others. Before the injury he had collected nine hits over his previous seven games, according to one Heavy. account. His season line entering the return stood at a .693 OPS with seven home runs in 115 games, per NBC Sports. Earlier in the month he had also missed three games with hamstring tightness, the Toronto Sun noted.

Roster Move and Supporting Cast Adjustments

To create room on the active roster, the Blue Jays optioned infielder-outfielder Davis Schneider back to Triple-A Buffalo. Heavy. and Sports Illustrated both reported that Schneider had been recalled only a day earlier when Josh Smith was placed on the 10-day injured list with hamstring inflammation. Schneider appeared as a defensive replacement in Friday’s game but did not record a plate appearance. He entered the move batting .142 with three home runs and 12 RBIs in the majors this season, according to Heavy.

The timing of the corresponding move hinged on the health of shortstop Andres Gimenez, who has been dealing with a hamstring issue. Sports Illustrated and Heavy. reported that Gimenez sat for a second consecutive game yet avoided the injured list after the club confirmed the problem had not worsened. Manager John Schneider’s staff waited until pre-game Saturday to finalize the decision.

George Springer, held out of Friday’s starting lineup because of shoulder soreness, returned as the designated hitter batting cleanup. He had made a pinch-hit appearance in the series opener. Catcher Alejandro Kirk slotted into the third spot. Heavy. relayed the full Saturday lineup via an Underdog MLB post: Brett Bateman in right field, Guerrero at first, Kirk catching, Springer at DH, Kazuma Okamoto at third, Ernie Clement at short, Daz Cameron in left, Charles McAdoo at second and Myles Straw in center, with Dylan Cease starting.

Saturday’s 4-3 Victory Over the Yankees

The Blue Jays defeated the Yankees 4-3 on Saturday, according to the Toronto Sun, one night after falling 3-1 in the series opener. Guerrero contributed two hits in his return and scored the game’s first run. The Toronto Sun added that the Blue Jays outhit New York 15-4 yet went 4-for-18 with runners in scoring position. Nathan Lukes delivered an RBI single off the bench and later hit his eighth home run of the season in the eighth inning. Alejandro Kirk extended his hit streak to a career-high 11 games. Brett Bateman singled in his first two at-bats, lifting his average to .327.

Dylan Cease started for Toronto opposite Ryan Weathers. Cease was charged with one run over 6 2/3 innings, striking out eight while walking five, as reported by NBC Sports and the Toronto Sun. Weathers exited with forearm discomfort. Reliever Tyler Rogers surrendered a two-run home run, the first he had allowed this season. Jose Soriano is scheduled to start Sunday opposite Carlos Rodon.

Standing and Recent Form

Heavy. placed the Blue Jays at 63-67, 1.5 games out of a Wild Card berth. Separate accounts noted the club had won seven straight series and gone 11-0 following a loss over the previous month. Sports Illustrated described the return of Guerrero as restoring the face of the organization after the collision forced him into protocol. One Heavy. piece framed the club’s recent pitching and lineup depth as reasons for optimism heading into the final stretch.

Springer entered the weekend batting .235 with 12 home runs and 40 RBIs across 98 games, according to Heavy. Kirk had been hitting over .300 in his previous 30 games with a 10-game hit streak before Saturday’s extension, Sports Illustrated reported.

Manager’s Assessment of Guerrero’s Readiness

John Schneider addressed Guerrero’s status directly. Heavy. quoted the manager saying, “He’s still one of our best players, and physically, he’s feeling normal.” Schneider also suggested the time away may have helped: “He looks good physically... Hopefully that cleared up all of the other stuff and he can be himself for the last month of the season.” NBC Sports similarly relayed that Schneider confirmed Guerrero had passed every concussion test and was cleared after the Dunedin rehab game.

The Blue Jays now turn to the remainder of the Yankees series and the final weeks of the regular season with their first baseman back in the middle of the order.