Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is once again not in the starting lineup as the Toronto Blue Jays open a series in Philadelphia against the Phillies Friday evening.
Guerrero is not starting for the third straight game after sitting both Wednesday and Thursday. Kazuma Okamoto will play first base Friday night and George Springer will DH.
Manager John Schneider told reporters earlier this week Guerrero was battling a tight hamstring, but indicated the injury was not “major.”
The 27-year-old appeared to be in some discomfort while running out a ground ball in the eighth inning of Tuesday night’s game, doubling over after being called out at first. However, Guerrero remained in the game at first base in the bottom half of the inning.
Guerrero had previously missed time with a hamstring injury and has also battled a back issue that caused him to voluntarily sit out of the All-Star Game.
Guerrero is slashing .259/.338/.349 with six home runs and 44 RBI in 108 games so far this season and is pacing for career-lows in most major offensive categories.
Arrighetti, Garcia injury updates
The Jays provided injury updates on newly-acquired starter Spencer Arrighetti and righty reliever Yimi Garcia before first pitch Friday, according to Mitch Bannon of The Athletic.
Arrighetti aggravated a foot injury he was previously dealing with in his rehab start at Triple-A Buffalo Thursday night and is heading to Philadelphia to join the team and get an MRI. Arrighetti was acquired from the Houston Astros on Monday in exchange for centre fielder Daulton Varsho.
As for Garcia, he has been diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome and is weighing surgery. The 35-year-old Garcia has not pitched this season and according to Bannon, his 2026 is likely over after Friday’s update.
Infielder Luis Urias was also placed on the 10-day injured list on Friday because of a quad strain. His absence opened a place on the 26-player roster for outfielder Brett Bateman, who was acquired earlier this week from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for Kevin Gausman.
Bateman will make his MLB debut Friday night and bat ninth against the Phillies.
The Jays begin play Friday 54-62, three and a half games out of the final American League wild-card spot.
