Star first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is back in the lineup for the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday, May 27, against the Miami Marlins, with the news shared by the club’s X account.
Guerrero missed two games due to a bruised elbow. He was hit by a pitch on Sunday, May 24, against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Guerrero immediately left that game and hadn’t suited up since the incident. He’s batting second against right-hander Eury Perez in the final game of the series.
The 27-year-old Guerrero has scuffled to a .538 OPS in May, but had started to pick up the production before the injury. The first baseman recorded hits in four straight games, excluding the contest he left early. Guerrero was on base six times in the three matchups against the Pirates.
Toronto Blue Jays News Update: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Returns to the Lineup
Guerrero is slashing .287/.386/.372 through 53 games. He has a solid 118 wRC+ across 223 plate appearances. The main concern with Guerrero’s output has been power. He’s popped just three home runs in two months of action. He hasn’t always shown typical power for a first baseman, but Guerrero has hit at least 23 home runs in five consecutive seasons. The concern with the elbow injury would be if it further saps Guerrero’s pop.
For the first time as a big leaguer, Guerrero is walking more than he’s striking out. The infielder has trimmed his strikeout rate to just 10.3%. It’s the sixth-lowest mark among qualified hitters. The strikeout leaderboard includes slap-hitting second basemen like Nico Hoerner and Luis Arraez. Guerrero stands out among the group as a premier all-around hitter. His teammate, Ernie Clement, is third on the list. The versatile veteran more closely fits the mold of a contact-oriented hitter.
Guerrero has been the picture of health since debuting with the Blue Jays in 2019. He’s never had a stint on the injured list. Guerrero has appeared in at least 156 games every year since the shortened 2020 campaign. He’s reached 680 plate appearances in five consecutive seasons. Returning from the elbow injury after missing just two games will keep him on track to hit those milestones yet again.
Blue Jays Searching for Offensive Production
Toronto was one of the more potent offenses in the league last season. Putting runs on the board was a key component in the club’s run to the 2025 World Series. The scoring hasn’t come nearly as easily for the Blue Jays in 2026. The team ranks just 22nd in runs scored through 55 games. Toronto ranks in the bottom 10 in the league for home runs and stolen bases.
The Blue Jays will turn to Nathan Lukes in the leadoff spot against the Marlins. The outfielder returned to the lineup this week after missing a month with a hamstring injury. Lukes immediately made an impact, delivering three hits and reaching base four times. Toronto lost 8-2, but the club had a spark near the top of the lineup. Lukes has been tremendous when he has batted first this season. He’s gone 11-for-24 with four doubles and six RBI from the leadoff spot.
Blue Jays Announce Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s Status Against Marlins