Vladimir

Guerrero Jr.

Guerrero’s three-run homer tied the game at 7-7, and was a towering shot over the left-field wall off Bradgley Rodriguez. That’s just the sixth homer of the season for Guerrero, but it’s the second time in three games, for those looking for hope heading into the break. Guerrero is as good of bet as any disappointing hitter in baseball to bounce back with a big second half after the All-Star break.

Guerrero and George Springer went back-to-back in the ninth, with Guerrero driving a fastball to center at 108 mph and a projected distance of 419 feet. It was Guerrero’s only hit of the day, but he had two other hard-hit balls. He also had two on Tuesday, though both of those turned into double plays. Hopefully, he’ll get his back feeling a little better over the break and start hitting homers more regularly afterwards.

Guerrero has been struggling with his back for weeks now, so this seems to be for the best. He’ll still be credited with his sixth All-Star selection. If the AL replaces him with another first baseman (there’s still two on the roster in Nick Kurtz and Ben Rice), then Willson Contreras is most deserving, based on 2026 performance. Still, he might be bypassed in favor of Pete Alonso or Jonathan Aranda.

Guerrero missed Tuesday’s game with back tightness, but it was never expected to be a serious issue. Perhaps another day or two off could have helped the slumping first baseman with a mental reset, but he’s back in Toronto’s lineup already. It’s hard to keep him out of fantasy lineups outside of shallow leagues where multiple difference-makers can be found on the waiver wire. Sean Keys will start at DH and bat eighth with George Springer on the paternity list.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider told reporters that he thinks Guerrero will be ready for Wednesday’s series finale against the Mets. He added that he didn’t want to take any chances and risk a setback after Guerrero experienced some tightness while swinging before Tuesday’s game. He’s been battling through the lingering issue for the last couple weeks.

It sounds like a precautionary move and fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day for now. It’ll be rookie Sean Keys moving over to cover first base with Ernie Clement at the hot corner and Luis Urías entering the lineup at second. Guerrero has been through a tough season at the plate with just four home runs across 81 games. There should be an update on his status following Tuesday’s contest in Toronto.

“No, I think there’s always a time when a guy needs a little bit of a break, whether it’s physically, mentally or whatever it is,” Schneider said. “It’s no secret we’re going to need Vlad, if we want to be good.” Guerrero went hitless Sunday, and is now slashing .268/.348/.349. The lack of power has been an issue all season for the 27-year-old, but now the hits aren’t starting to fall, and it’s becoming problematic. Still, Guerrero’s track record suggest a big second half is more than realistic, and fantasy managers can’t cut bait just yet.

Keys is at first base and hitting sixth against the Rangers in his major-league debut with Vladimir Guerrero getting a break from the field at DH and George Springer taking a seat. The unheralded 23-year-old power-hitting prospect has put together a true breakout campaign after making some mechanical tweaks to his swing, slashing .284/.409/.619 with 21 homers and seven steals in 286 plate appearances in the upper levels of Toronto’s system. He’ll need to produce at the dish to keep his roster spot with the Blue Jays, but he’s an interesting bat-first prospect that fantasy managers should have on their radar screens, especially in deeper mixed leagues.

Guerrero was back at first base and hitting third following an early exit from Friday’s series opener at Wrigley Field with lower back tightness. The 27-year-old fantasy superstar has just four homers through 73 games as his unexpected power outage continues towards midseason. The positive news is that he’s fine from a physical standpoint despite playing through lingering back issues.

Not good. Guerrero grabbed at his back after a sixth-inning pop up and was replaced by Charles McAdoo at the start of the inning. The Blue Jays should have an update on his status in the near future.