URGENT UPDATE: Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. exited Monday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates with a hamstring injury, raising concerns for the first-place team as they head into the final stretch of the season.
During the fifth inning of the 5-2 loss, Guerrero felt tightness in his hamstring after executing two impressive splits at first base, including a crucial play to retire Jared Triolo with a long throw from shortstop Bo Bichette. Guerrero returned to the field briefly in the fourth inning but was replaced by Ty France during his next turn at bat in the top of the fifth.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider confirmed the situation, stating Guerrero was “doing all right,” but an MRI is scheduled to assess the extent of the injury. Schneider explained, “At this time of year, everyone is kind of grinding a little bit, and that just irritated his hammy. It’s just tightness.”
Guerrero, who is having an outstanding season with a batting average of .298, 21 home runs, and 69 RBIs, wanted to assess his condition before making a decision to continue. “I trust him, and he knows himself really well,” Schneider added. “We can’t afford to lose him for an extended period of time, so it was partially precautionary, too.”
As the Blue Jays continue their playoff push, the impact of Guerrero’s potential absence could be significant. Fans will be anxiously awaiting the results of the MRI, which will help determine his status for upcoming games. The team has a critical matchup against the Pirates again later this week, and Guerrero’s presence in the lineup will be vital for their success.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops and the MRI results are reported.
