Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is back in the Toronto Blue Jays’ starting lineup for Saturday’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies but will be without DH George Springer, who is out with left shoulder tightness.
Guerrero, 27, had missed Toronto’s last three games while dealing with hamstring tightness.
The six-time all-star is batting third and playing first base while the Blue Jays go for a series win in the City of Brothery Love after Friday’s 5-4 victory.
Guerrero appeared to suffer the injury during Tuesday’s 7-2 loss to the Houston Astros.
The Montreal native doubled over after attempting to beat out a groundball at first base in the top half of the eighth, but would remain in the game.
He would miss the series finale in Houston, as well as Toronto’s make-up game against the Chicago Cubs on Thursday, and Friday’s opener against the Phillies with the injury.
Guerrero had also missed time this year with an elbow contusion in May and a lingering back issue that kept him out of the All-Star Game.
The two-time Silver Slugger is slashing .259/.338/.349 with six home runs and 44 RBI in 108 games in 2026, and is pacing for career-lows in most major offensive categories in the first season of a 14-year, $500 million contract.
Toronto (55-62) enters play 3.5 games back of the final wild card spot in the American League.
