On Tuesday, before the Toronto Blue Jays’ series opener against the Tampa Bay Rays, manager John Schneider provided an update on the health status of a few players currently on the injured list. Per Sportsnet’s Arden Zwelling, Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was seen going through a light workout pre-game at Tropicana Field before finishing with some higher-intensity running. The plan is for Guerrero to hit in the batting cages on Tuesday as he works his way through MLB’s concussion return-to-play protocol.
Guerrero suffered the injury during last Friday night’s 3-1 victory over the New York Yankees after taking George Lombard Jr.’s knee to his head. The following day, Guerrero was placed on the 7-day concussion injured list and isn’t eligible to return until Saturday at the earliest. Through 115 games this season, Guerrero is batting .263 with seven home runs and 43 RBIs. Batting in the middle of the Blue Jays’ lineup, Guerrero possesses the tools to be a difference-maker as the club hunts for the American League’s final Wild Card spot.
Spencer Arrighetti, who made his second rehab start in Triple-A with the Buffalo Bisons and first since being diagnosed with Morton’s neuroma, is set to throw a bullpen session on Wednesday. On Sunday, Arrighetti turned in a pitching line of 3.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, and threw 50 pitches (35 strikes) during the Bisons’ 9-6 win over the Worcester Red Sox. While in a perfect world, another rehab start would be preferred, the Blue Jays are in need of a fifth starter to help take some of the burden off an already overworked bullpen.
Through 17 starts this season with the Houston Astros, Arrighetti is 7-5 with a 4.60 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP. Across 88 innings, Arrighetti has struck out 87 batters and held opponents to a .215 average. For his efforts in May, when he went 4-1 with a 0.93 ERA, Arrighetti was named AL Pitcher of the Month.
Fellow right-hander Jameson Taillon has resumed his throwing program after being placed on the injured list on August 11 with right forearm tendinitis. The plan is for the 34-year-old to throw a bullpen session Thursday in Tampa. Acquired from the Chicago Cubs on August 2, Taillon was removed after experiencing discomfort after throwing four shutout innings during his second start with the Blue Jays against the Boston Red Sox on August 10.
Through 17 starts this season with both the Cubs and Blue Jays, Taillon is 2-6 with a 5.68 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. Taillon has struck out 75 batters across 84 innings and has allowed opponents to hit .253.
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