Just as the Blue Jays begin to heat up, they have to hold their breath regarding the status of their star hitter.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had to be evaluated for a concussion after taking a knee to head that resulted in a “little bit of a headache” during Toronto’s 3-1 home win over the Yankees on Friday night.
Toronto has to wait to see how Guerrero Jr. responds Saturday before the middle game of the three-game set as part of the league’s concussion protocol.
“Checking him out, he got hit pretty good with the knee there from (George Lombard Jr.) there in the head,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. “They’re checking him out. Had a little bit of a headache, took him out, kind of precautionary right now. We’ll see how he is tomorrow.”
He added: “You got to be a little bit careful and see how he wakes up tomorrow and kind of go from there.”
The blow to the head occurred during an unusual play in the sixth inning that ultimately swayed the game in the Blue Jays’ direction.
Toronto had runners on first and second with one out while trailing 1-0 when George Springer hit a potential inning-ending double play to Yankees third baseman Ryan McMahon.
McMahon stepped on third and one-hopped his throw to first and Luis Garcia Jr. could not field the ball cleanly, losing his glove in the process while the ball trickled toward the mound.
Guerrero, who began the play at first base, ran to third since McMahon did not stay at the bag and Garcia made an ill-advised throw while Lombard attempted to cover the bag.
With Guerrero and Lombard both running toward the base, the two collided, with Lombard hitting Guerrero in the head while he seemingly attempted to avoid contact.
Garcia’s throw went past the bag and allowed Guerrero to score and tie the game, and the Blue Jays took the lead for good on the next pitch on Alejandro Kirk’s RBI double.
Guerrero appeared to be potentially grimacing while he crossed the plate.
“I didn’t really see it in real time the knee to the head, you’re looking for obstruction to make sure he scores,” Schneider said. “A lot going on, for sure.”
Toronto once seemed dead in the playoff race but they have won four of five at home from the Red Sox and Yankees this week to suddenly pull within one game of the third and final Wild Card berth.
Guerrero is having a down year, but Toronto can’t afford to lose a player of his caliber considering the struggles spanning the rest of the lineup.
