NEW YORK (AP) — Vladimir Guerrero Jr. passed his final concussion tests and the Toronto Blue Jays slugger is expected to return from the seven-day injured list on Saturday.
Guerrero returned to the team on Friday and took swings in the batting cage after doubling during a minor league rehabilitation game for Single-A Dunedin on Thursday.
“He felt good,” manager John Schneider said before the Blue Jays opened a three-game series with the Yankees. “Even
before he left to play in Clearwater, he was feeling good. He feels pretty normal, so that’s a good thing.”
Guerrero left a 3-1 win in Toronto over the Yankees last Friday after a collision with New York rookie shortstop George Lombard Jr. on a bizarre play at third base in the sixth inning.
The six-time All-Star was injured when he slid at third base and had Lombard’s knee and thigh strike his head. The play caused Guerrero’s helmet to get dislodged, though the first baseman scored the tying run before exiting.
Guerrero is batting .263 with seven homers and 46 RBIs. Before the collision, he was hitting .310 (7 for 29) in his last seven games.
Newly acquired infielder Josh Smith was placed on the 10-day injured list with left hamstring inflammation. Smith was injured during Wednesday’s 7-6 loss at Tampa Bay and completed the game.
Smith is hitting .250 in 14 games since being acquired from Texas at the Aug. 3 trade deadline.
The Blue Jays also activated pitcher Spencer Arrighetti from the injured list after the right-hander missed time with an irritated right foot. Arrighetti was acquired at the deadline from Houston for outfielder Daulton Varsho and was expected to serve as a bulk reliever after opener Mason Fluharty.
Toronto also recalled outfielder Davis Schneider, who is hitting .142 with three homers and 12 RBIs in 61 games. Schneider was hitting .219 with six homers and 21 RBIs in 37 games with Triple-A Buffalo.
Toronto’s final move was optioning reliever Brendan Cellucci to Triple-A. The lefty did not appear in a game after being recalled on Wednesday.
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