After not initially being listed in the Toronto Blue Jays' starting nine for Friday's series opener against the Boston Red Sox, it turns out Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will actually be in the lineup.
The Blue Jays announced the change shortly before first pitch, slotting Guerrero into his usual three-spot in the batting order and at first base.
Guerrero was struck by a 95 m.p.h. Tanner Bibee sinker on the forearm and was forced to exit Thursday's contest early. The Blue Jays later confirmed that he had undergone X-rays, which came back negative for a fracture.
“Vladdy’s sore, but he’s all right.” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Friday, per MLB.com's Keegan Matheson.
Guerrero, 26, has 11 home runs and 40 RBIs this season while slashing .281/.387/.449.
Ernie Clement, who was scheduled to get the start at first, will slide over to third base, Addison Barger will move to right, and Alan Roden comes out of the lineup to make room for Guerrero.
Meanwhile, Schneider provided updates for a couple of other key contributors as well.
Daulton Varsho, who's been on the injured list since early June due to a hamstring injury, has been "running a little bit more" and should be running bases soon.
The outfielder has made 24 appearances for Toronto this year in his third season with the club, slashing .207/.240/.543 with eight home runs and 20 RBIs. Varsho last suited up for the Blue Jays on May 31 in a win against the Athletics. He finished with one hit (a double), one walk and a run through his two plate appearances.
Scheider's update for Anthony Santander, however, wasn't as positive — the slugger is still not swinging or hitting.
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Toronto's big off-season addition was placed on the IL shortly before Varsho, dealing with left shoulder inflammation.
Santander dealt with shoulder and hip issues for the better part of a month, missing a handful of games in that span, before he was put on the IL. The slugger suffered the shoulder injury during the Blue Jays' series against the Los Angeles Angels in early May after crashing into the stands down the right-field line while pursuing a fly ball.
Santander has struggled in his first season with the Jays since signing a five-year, $92.5 million deal in free agency.
Over 50 games, he's batted .179 with a .577 OPS and six home runs, while his 55 strikeouts were a team-worst when he went down and now still ranks third. He last played on May 29 in a win against the Athletics, striking out twice and walking twice in his four plate appearances.
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