DUNEDIN, Fla. – Vladimir Guerrero Jr. left Friday afternoon’s Grapefruit League game early with what the Blue Jays described as right knee discomfort.
Guerrero Jr. singled in his first at-bat of the game against the Tampa Bay Rays, 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 in the spring, established players like Guerrero Jr. rarely leave 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 Guerrero Jr.’s comfort zone.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider’s expected to provide more clarity on Guerrero Jr.’s next steps following Friday’s game, but it seems unlikely he’ll play Saturday, when the Blue Jays travel to Lakeland, Fla. and take on the Tigers.