If his first rehab game is any indication, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is in line to be back with the Blue Jays shortly.
Guerrero, who was placed on the seven-day concussion injured list after a collision at third base on Friday against the Yankees, began a rehab assignment on Thursday with Single-A Dunedin. After participating in baseball activities on Tuesday and Wednesday, he appears to be nearing a return to Toronto.
Here’s the latest on Guerrero’s rehab process.
How did he perform?
Batting third as Dunedin’s designated hitter on the road against Clearwater, Guerrero went 1-for-1 with a double and a pair of walks.
He ripped a 98.8 mph RBI double into the left-center-field gap in the first inning before scoring on a forceout. Guerrero drew a free pass in the second and another in the fourth before being removed for a pinch-hitter.
What are they saying?
“As soon as he's ready, feeling good and cleared and he feels like he's got his timing, we're going to try to get him back in there,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said.
What's next?
The Blue Jays are hoping to get Guerrero back in the lineup on Saturday, the first day he is eligible to return from the IL, for the middle game of their three-game series against the Yankees in the Bronx.
What else?
In other Blue Jays injury news, shortstop Andrés Giménez exited Thursday’s game at Tropicana Field with right hamstring tightness. He is day to day and is not currently scheduled to undergo an MRI, but the Blue Jays will re-evaluate him on Friday.