The Toronto Blue Jays are going to be without Vladimir Guerrero Jr. for quite some time. During Friday's 3-1 win over the New York Yankees, Guerrero suffered a concussion.
In the sixth inning, an errant throw caused Yankees shortstop George Lombard Jr. to inadvertently strike Guerrero in the face. While Guerrero was able to get up and score on the play, he was pulled from the game afterwards as a precaution.
After the game, manager John Schneider expressed caution regarding Guerrero after he reported a headache and was placed in concussion protocol. Just before Saturday's game against the Yankees, the Blue Jays confirmed that Guerrero had suffered a concussion and has been placed on the 7-day injured list.
They also announced a corresponding roster decision to fill the void. Toronto decided to call up Daz Cameron from the minor leagues, and to clear space on the 40-man roster, relief pitcher Lazaro Estrada was designated for assignment.
Cameron will likely provide additional outfield depth for the Blue Jays rather than replace Guerrero at first base. That job likely belongs to 24-year-old rookie Charles McAdoo, who took over for Guerrero on Friday and was inserted into the lineup for Saturday's game at first base.
Cameron is a career journeyman who has never quite found a way to earn a consistent spot in the majors.
He has appeared in parts of five seasons, posting a .200 batting average, .258 on-base percentage and .585 OPS across 160 games with the Detroit Tigers, Athletics and Milwaukee Brewers. Those numbers are below average, but he is a speedy defensive outfielder who will likely serve as a late-game defensive replacement.
For Guerrero, the concussion is the latest setback in what has been a difficult and injury-plagued season.
