The Toronto Blue Jays are trying to turn their season back around. Following a nice win on Friday over the New York Yankees, the Blue Jays are getting hit with some tough news. Slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is dealing with a back injury, per Sportsnet.
This is keeping him out of the starting lineup on Saturday for Toronto.
“Vladimir Guerrero Jr. said his lower back tightened up during yesterday’s game and is keeping him out of the lineup today,” reporter Shi Davidi posted to X, formerly Twitter.
The Blue Jays are no stranger to injuries this season. Toronto just got catcher Alejandro Kirk back in the lineup, after he was down with a thumb fracture. Guerrero Jr. and starting pitcher Dylan Cease both left a game in recent weeks due to injuries. It appears the slugger is still having some problems.
“I’m not feeling right, and you guys can tell that,” Guerrero told reporters back in May, per ESPN. “I’m just looking to hit one ball very hard. It will stay in my head and my mind. I know things are going to change.”
This season, Guerrero Jr. is batting at a .280 average. He has just three home runs in 246 at-bats.
The Blue Jays are struggling to hit
The Blue Jays have several hitters who are having struggles this campaign.
“Guerrero isn’t the only Toronto hitter scuffling in 2026, as the Blue Jays’ runs per game has dropped from 4.93 (fourth in the majors) in 2025 to 4.07 (22nd) this season,” ESPN added.
As a result, Toronto is just 34-36 on the season. The Blue Jays have been under .500 for most of the year. That isn’t what fans expected, after the team won the American League pennant in 2025.
If the team is to make the postseason, Guerrero Jr. and the offense have to produce more. Toronto is currently third in the American League East standings, and needs to stack some wins.
The Blue Jays play the Yankees Saturday afternoon.
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