Toronto Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. exited Friday’s 7-6 spring training victory against the Tampa Bay Rays after one inning in Dunedin, Fla., due to right knee discomfort.
Guerrero left the Blue Jays’ dugout in the second inning to receive treatment on the knee.
“Right now, we’re just checking it out and seeing how he is,” Toronto manager John Schneider said after the game. “It’s right knee discomfort and we’ll see how he feels tomorrow. We’re playing it safe at this point.”
The two-time All-Star was hurt in the first inning after hitting a single to center. Bo Bichette scored on the play and when the throw went toward home plate, Guerrero headed to second base and appeared to be ailing as he reached the bag.
Guerrero stayed in the game for the rest of the half-inning before departing.
“He kind of awkwardly went into second,” Schneider said. “We’ll see how he is tomorrow, but we’re not too worried.”
The injury comes at less than an ideal time with Guerrero slated to leave for the Dominican Republic on Sunday to prepare for the World Baseball Classic.
Guerrero, who turns 24 on March 16, hit a combined 80 homers over the past two seasons and has 104 in his four-year career. He has a .284 average, 310 RBIs and 200 runs scored in 504 career contests.
Guerrero was AL MVP runner-up in 2021 when he had personal bests of 48 homers and a .311 average. He drove in 97 runs.
–Field Level Media
