The Toronto Blue Jays have optioned Davis Schneider back to Triple-A Buffalo.
Toronto recalled Schneider on Friday ahead of their series against the New York Yankees when Josh Smith was placed on the IL. However, just one day after being recalled, Toronto sent Schneider back to Triple-A as the team activated Vladimir Guerrero Jr. off the concussion IL.
🔹 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. reinstated from the 7-day IL and will be active today
🔹 INF/OF Davis Schneider optioned to Triple-A
“ROSTER MOVES: 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. reinstated from the 7-day IL and will be active today. INF/OF Davis Schneider optioned to Triple-A,” the Blue Jays wrote on X.
Schneider entered Friday’s game as a defensive replacement in the bottom of the seventh inning, but did not get a plate appearance.
The fan-favorite utility player is hitting .142 with 3 home runs and 12 RBIs, as he’s struggled to produce in the MLB this season.
Andres Gimenez’s Injury Factored Into Decision
Toronto was set to activate Guerrero Jr. off the concussion list on Saturday, but who was going to be sent down was the question.
Yet, the decision took a long time as Toronto was making sure starting shortstop Andres Gimenez didn’t need an IL stint and could play.
Club still working on counter move; want to make sure Andrés Giménez’s hamstring issue hasn’t worsened.
Notable: Daz Cameron is starting in left and Davis Schneider has minor-league options
“Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will be active for the Blue Jays on Saturday, playing first base. Club still working on counter move; want to make sure Andrés Giménez’s hamstring issue hasn’t worsened. Notable: Daz Cameron is starting in left and Davis Schneider has minor-league options,” Zwelling wrote on X.
With the Blue Jays optioning Schneider, it is good news for Gimenez, as it means he’s likely healthy enough to be available off the bench. Although he’s not in the starting lineup on Saturday, a lefty, Ryan Weathers, is on the mound, so he might not have started anyway.
Yet, it does appear Gimenez won’t need an IL stint and could return to the lineup on Sunday.
Blue Jays Manager Sends Guerrero Jr. a Message
Guerrero has struggled to produce this season offensively, but Toronto is still in the playoff mix despite that.
So, ahead of his return from injury, Blue Jays manager John Schneider sent a clear message to Guerrero.
“He’s still one of our best players, and physically, he’s feeling normal,” Schneider said. “Hopefully he can be back to his normal version of himself. That’s all we’re looking for, nothing crazy. It would be great if he went on one of those crazy heaters like he did in the postseason. But it’s about hitting the ball hard, playing defense and being Vlad.”
Schneider also believes the time off due to the injury might have been a blessing in disguise for Guerrero.
“He looks good physically,” Schneider said. “Watching him hit, I don’t want to say ‘refreshed,’ but he definitely looks good. Hopefully that cleared up all of the other stuff and he can be himself for the last month of the season.”
The Blue Jays are 63-67 and 1.5 games out of a Wild Card spot.
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