The Toronto Blue Jays will look to respond Saturday after dropping the first game of their three-game series against the New York Yankees. The club was without Vladimir Guerrero Jr. for the opener and managed only one run in Friday’s 3-1 loss.
Guerrero had been working his way back after suffering a concussion against the Yankees on Aug. 14. He spent the past week on the seven-day concussion injured list and made a rehab appearance with Single-A Dunedin on Thursday, going 1-for-1 with an RBI double, one run scored and two walks.
There was growing optimism that the six-time All-Star could return Saturday after he passed his final concussion tests Friday.
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Manage John Schneider said Guerrero “felt good” and that he had been “feeling normal.” He also confirmed that Guerrero was trending towards starting against New York on Saturday (h/t Hazel Mae of Sportsnet).
Hours before the game, the Blue Jays made his return official. Following a six-game absence, Guerrero is now back in the Blue Jays’ lineup after clearing MLB’s concussion protocol (via Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet).
Guerrero is batting .263 with seven home runs and 46 RBIs in 115 games before suffering the concussion during a July. He was hitting .310 with two RBIs over his previous seven games before the injury.
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His return gives Toronto its most valuable bat as the club continues to fight for a playoff spot. The Blue Jays enter Saturday’s game at 63-67, half game outside the American League wild card bracket.
First pitch at Yankees Stadium is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. ET Saturday, with Dylan Cease facing Yankees left-hander Ryan Weathers.
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