DUNEDIN, Fla. — Vladimir Guerrero Jr. pulled up to second base awkwardly Friday afternoon, and the right-knee discomfort that ensued was enough to chase him early from the Blue Jays’ Grapefruit League game.
Guerrero Jr. singled in his first at-bat against the Tampa Bay Rays before advancing to second base on a throw home. Later in the inning he scored, but the Blue Jays would soon replace him at first base with prospect Rainer Nunez.
At this point, the Blue Jays are “not too worried,” according to manager John Schneider, who said no imaging is presently scheduled for the 23-year-old.
"We'll see how he is (Saturday) and go from there," Schneider said. “If it was a little later in spring training, it might be different, but it’s March 3. We’re playing it safe.”
Complicating matters, Guerrero Jr.’s slated to leave the Blue Jays for the Dominican Republic’s World Baseball Classic team following Sunday’s game. At this point, those plans remain in place.
For context, established players like Guerrero Jr. rarely leave spring games before batting two or three times. But with nearly four weeks remaining before opening day and a long season ahead, there’s little reason to push his comfort zone.
Guerrero Jr.’s not expected to be in the lineup Saturday, when the Blue Jays travel to Lakeland, Fla., and take on the Tigers. With Brandon Belt still ramping up toward his spring debut, Cavan Biggio would be a logical candidate to play first if needed.
Meanwhile, Guerrero Jr.’s early exit represents the first significant injury scare for the Blue Jays as they look to build on a 92-70 season.
"You want to get through (spring) healthy," Schneider said. "We think he'll be all right."
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