Blue Jays Announce Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Injury News Before Diamondbacks Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ayomide Adeduyite | Last updated Apr 18, 2026 8:10 AM ET

The Toronto Blue Jays opened their series against the Arizona Diamondbacks with a 6-3 loss on Friday, marking their sixth defeat in the last eight games. It’s been a difficult stretch for the Blue Jays, who are currently dealing with multiple injuries.

With that, the pressure has increasingly fallen on its core, led by Vladimir Guerrero Jr., to get the offense going. Guerrero delivered a decent performance at the plate against Arizona, finishing 1-for-4 with an RBI single, but it wasn’t enough to secure a win.

Then, in the eighth inning, there was a moment of concern for a Toronto team that already sits at the bottom of the American League East.

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27).Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

While trying to make a play, Guerrero got his left index finger caught on Jorge Barrosa’s jersey, appearing to tweak it before walking it off.

After the game, however, manager John Schneider offered a reassuring update.

“I think he’ll be fine tomorrow,” Schneider said, suggesting the issue may not keep Guerrero out of Saturday’s lineup (h/t Arden Zwelling of SportsNet).

Blue Jays manager John Schneider says Vladimir Guerrero Jr. caught his left index finger on Jorge Barrosa’s jersey in the 8th.

“I think he’ll be fine tomorrow,” Schneider said.
— Arden Zwelling (@ArdenZwelling) April 18, 2026

That’s welcome news for the Blue Jays as they cannot afford to lose Guerrero right now. George Springer remains sidelined with a fractured left big toe, while Alejandro Kirk and Addison Barger are also on the injured list.

Daulton Varsho exited Friday’s game as a precaution and is now considered day-to-day, with no imaging done, according to Schneider.

Guerrero’s availability becomes even more important due to these setbacks. He remains one of the lineup’s most reliable bats, and his presence gives the Blue Jays a much better chance to score runs.

Toronto will try to reset quickly on Saturday as the series continues at Chase Field. First pitch is scheduled for 8:10 pm ET, with Max Scherzer (1-2, 9.58 ERA) set to start for the Blue Jays against Zac Gallen (1-1, 3.60 ERA) for Arizona.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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