The Toronto Blue Jays just took a gut punch, placing first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on the seven-day injured list Saturday after he started showing concussion symptoms. This is a huge hit for the team, especially right when the season is entering such an important stretch.
The Play That Shook Toronto
This whole mess went down Friday during Toronto’s 3-1 victory over the New York Yankees. In the sixth inning, Guerrero was sliding into third base on what became a chaotic play, and rookie shortstop George Lombard Jr. tried to leap over him. Lombard’s knee and thigh connected directly with Guerrero’s head, knocking his helmet clean off! The guy is a six-time All-Star, and seeing him take a shot like that was just brutal. Somehow, Vladdy managed to get back up, race home, and score the tying run, but he definitely looked dazed after crossing the plate. Charles McAdoo immediately stepped in to replace him at first base in the seventh inning. Blue Jays manager John Schneider initially said after Friday’s game that Guerrero had “a little bit of a headache,” but those symptoms stuck around through Saturday, forcing the team to make the tough call and put him on the concussion IL.
Blue Jays Scramble to Adjust
Losing a middle-of-the-order threat like Guerrero, even for a short time, creates a massive challenge for Toronto’s lineup. The guy is batting .263 this season with seven home runs and 46 RBIs. Those are big shoes to fill, and the Blue Jays acted fast to try and cover the gap. They called up outfielder Daz Cameron from Triple-A Buffalo to take Guerrero’s spot on the active roster. To make room on the 40-man roster, they designated right-hander Lazaro Estrada for assignment. They also made a pitching move, recalling left-hander Ricky Tiedemann from Buffalo and optioning right-hander Chase Lee to Triple-A. Tiedemann, for his part, has had a bit of a rough go in the minors this season, with an 0-1 record and a 6.43 ERA across seven appearances, including two starts, at three different levels.
What’s Next for Vladdy and the Blue Jays
Right now, the big concern is all about Guerrero’s recovery. There is no firm timetable for his return beyond that mandatory seven-day concussion IL period. The team will be watching his symptoms and progression closely before they can even think about when their six-time All-Star might be ready to get back on the field. This is a critical point in the season for the Blue Jays, and they’ll have to dig deep to navigate this important stretch without one of their absolute biggest stars.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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