The Toronto Blue Jays were dealt a notable setback on Friday night as they tried to get back to winning ways against the New York Yankees. Toronto entered the series opener looking to recover from Thursday’s 7-0 loss to the Boston Red Sox and keep pace in the American League wild card race.
The incident occured in the sixth inning, when an awkward play at third base left Vladimir Guerrero Jr., one of Toronto’s most important players, visibly shaken.
Down 1-0 at home, Guerrero took George Lombard Jr.’s knee to the face during an awkward slide into third base. The six-time MLB All-Star had reached the bag during a chaotic fielder’s-choice play involving designated hitter George Springer before scoring the game’s tying run on a throwing error.
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Guerrero appeared to grimace after crossing home plate and was later helped off the field by manager John Schneider and the Blue Jays trainer, with Charles McAdoo taking over at first base.
The club later announced that Guerrero is going through testing under the concussion protocol, according to MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson. Schneider confirmed that Guerrero had a bit of a headache following the collision.
It’s a major concern for a Blue Jays team who managed to secure its 60th win of the season, defeating the Yankees 3-1 despite the injury. With 38 games remaining, the Blue Jays will hope the latest setback does not result in an extended absence for their franchise star as they continue their fight to stay alive in the American League playoff race.
Guerrero remains one of the central pieces of the club’s playoff push, even during a season in which his production has fallen below his usual standard. He entered the game having appeared in 114 games, batting .262/.337/.356 with a .693 OPS, 97 wRC+, seven home runs and 46 RBIs. The first baseman went 1-for-3 with a run scored before his night ended on Friday.
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His availability has already been something Toronto has had to monitor this season. Guerrero missed time with lower-back tightness in June, including consecutive games against the Yankees, and later dealt with a right hamstring issue that forced him out of the lineup. He also left a May game against the Pittsburgh Pirates after being hit on the right elbow, although X-rays were negative and he was diagnosed with a contusion.
