The Toronto Blue Jays’ superstar slugger is back in the lineup.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is set to make his return against the Minnesota Twins on Monday after being absent from the team’s starting lineup for the past five games with hamstring inflammation, the team announced ahead of the game.
He will bat third and will serve as the team’s designated hitter, with Ty France suiting up at first base.
Though Guerrero wasn’t included in the lineup for the Blue Jays on Sunday in the series finale against the Miami Marlins, he pinch-hit in the top of the eighth inning, replacing France.
After his trip to the plate, though, Guerrero was replaced defensively by Myles Straw, who took over in left field, shifting Davis Schneider to third base and Ernie Clement to first.
Over the series against the Marlins, though he wasn’t given a starting spot, manager John Schneider said that he would be available off the bench if need be.
“He felt good yesterday, he felt good again today,” Schneider said ahead of Saturday’s game, which the Blue Jays won 7-6 in extra innings. “We wanted to check running the bases off the list, and I think with just time being a little bit of the essence today, we didn’t wanna put pressure on him to run and say ‘OK, I’m good’ or ‘I feel a little fatigue.’ So still being a little bit cautious with him, but I think if the situation calls for it today, you’ll definitely see him in the batter’s box.”
He tested his hamstring ahead of Friday’s game, running sprints at LoanDepot Park in Miami and taking swings in the batting cage — but the team opted for patience.
The injury initially occurred in the bottom of the third inning in last Monday’s game against the Pirates, when Guerrero made an impressive stretch, doing the splits on a Bo Bichette throw to save a run and record the final out.
Guerrero has once again been one of Toronto’s best hitters in 2025, and after Sunday’s at-bat, is slashing .298/.396/.497 on the season with 21 home runs and 69 RBIs.
The Blue Jays will look to bounce back after Sunday’s loss to the Marlins as they shift their attention to the Twins. Coverage begins on Sportsnet with Blue Jays Central at 6:30 p.m. ET / 3:30 p.m. PT.
