Blue Jays Predicted to Make Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Decision After Missing Pirates Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Josh E. Valdez | Last updated Aug 20, 2025 1:39 PM ET

The Toronto Blue Jays need Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (hamstring) to be successful, but not against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday. They won 7-3 at PNC Park without their star after he left Monday's 5-2 loss early.

The victory helped the Blue Jays stay five games in front of the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East heading into Wednesday's matinee rubber match with the Pirates. Guerrero is also out of the lineup for that one as he nurses his hamstring inflammation.

Sportsnet Blue Jays reporter Arden Zwelling predicted how the team would handle the 26-year-old's recovery process before Wednesday's game.

"Sounds unlikely Vladimir Guerrero Jr (left hamstring) is available off the bench for the Blue Jays on Wednesday," he said. "Club can leverage Thursday’s off day to get him 72+ hours of rest and recovery."

Guerrero was red-hot before the injury, as he's slashing .323/.373/.710 with six homers and 12 RBI across 17 games in August. Toronto is 9-7 in those contests.

Sounds unlikely Vladimir Guerrero Jr (left hamstring) is available off the bench for the Blue Jays on Wednesday. Club can leverage Thursday’s off day to get him 72+ hours of rest and recovery
— Arden Zwelling (@ArdenZwelling) August 20, 2025

Blue Jays Can't Afford Serious Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Injury

No team wants its star to go down, but Guerrero is especially important to Toronto. The five-time All-Star leads the team with a .298 batting average, a .396 OBP, 21 homers, 71 walks, and a 4.6 WAR. He's also second with 139 hits, 30 doubles, 232 total bases, and an .894 OPS.

Hamstring injuries tend to linger, so the Blue Jays must let Guerrero rest against the Miami Marlins on Friday if he needs it. The Yankees are on a four-game win streak, and there is plenty of time left for Toronto to blow the division lead if the two-time Silver Slugger aggravates his ailment.

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

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