TORONTO -- After missing Saturday's 3-1 loss to the Yankees with lower back tightness, Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was absent once again for Sunday's series finale at Rogers Centre.
Guerrero woke up with some lingering soreness, but his condition improved enough that he grabbed a bat and was available to pinch-hit in the ninth inning of the 8-3 loss, had the situation called for it.
“He's still a little bit sore, but I think the off-day will be good for him,” said Blue Jays manager John Schneider.
Shortstop Andrés Giménez was also scratched from the lineup with left wrist soreness, sustained sliding into first base late in Saturday’s game. Schneider said Giménez was only available as a defensive replacement Sunday.
Either way, it appears Toronto’s two lineup mainstays should be back in action soon.
“I think after the off-day, they should both be good,” Schneider said.
Schneider said he checks in regularly with Guerrero, one of baseball’s most durable players, throughout the season to monitor how he is feeling. The Blue Jays' first baseman has played at least 156 games in each of the past five seasons and has never been placed on the injured list in parts of eight Major League seasons.
Monday’s off-day comes at a good time for the Blue Jays, especially their bullpen. Toronto’s relievers have thrown 59 innings over the past 15 days, the fourth-heaviest workload in baseball during that span.