Crisis averted for the Toronto Blue Jays and superstar first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Guerrero appears to have dodged a bullet after his MRI only revealed left hamstring inflammation, according to manager John Schneider, as relayed by MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson. He’s considered day-to-day for now, but the club hopes he’ll return in a few days, possibly Friday in Miami.

The 26-year-old slugger was substituted for Ty France as a pinch-hitter in the top half of the fifth inning of Monday’s 5-2 loss to the Pirates, injuring his left hamstring while making one of his trademark splits at first base to record the final out of the third. While speaking to reporters post-game, Schneider described his injury departure as “precautionary.”

Guerrero went 0-for-2 with an RBI and a strikeout versus Pirates ace Paul Skenes prior to departing. He isn’t in Tuesday’s starting lineup and almost certainly won’t be available off the bench. There’s a chance his status could change for Wednesday’s afternoon finale. In all likelihood, though, Toronto will probably take advantage of Thursday’s off-day before reinserting him into the lineup.

The five-time All-Star has been a workhorse throughout his seven seasons with the Blue Jays, only missing three games in 2024. Entering Tuesday’s affair, he had suited up in 124 of the club’s 126 games this season, and has been one of the sport’s hottest hitters over the last several weeks.

Since July 20, Guerrero is hitting .376/.447/.725 with nine home runs and 23 RBIs, ranking second among major league hitters in OBP, wOBA (.491) and wRC+ (222, 100 league average) — trailing only rookie sensation Nick Kurtz in all three categories. He also sits second in the sport in fWAR (2.0), behind only Michael Harris II (2.1).

Losing Guerrero for an extended period would’ve been devastating for the Blue Jays, who’re hunting their first AL East title since 2015 and enter Tuesday’s slate with the second-best record in the league at 73-53, with the 74-53 Detroit Tigers sitting just a half game ahead of them.

France will start at first base and bat sixth in Guerrero’s absence against Pirates starter Mitch Keller, who’ll be opposed by Max Scherzer.