The Blue Jays got some good news for once. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is off the 7-day injured list and back in the middle of Toronto's lineup, just over a week after taking a knee to the head from Yankees infielder George Lombard Jr. in an awkward collision at third base.
The scare came on August 14, and it was serious enough to force Vlad into concussion protocol. He didn't rush it either — Blue Jays manager John Schneider had him easing back through a full pregame workout at Tropicana Field, running, taking grounders and getting BP in before clearing him for a rehab look. Now he's cleared to play, and Toronto is putting him right back in the order.
This isn't just about health. Guerrero signed a 14-year, $500 million extension with Toronto that made him a Blue Jay for life, and the team has been counting on that bat to anchor the middle of the order every single day since. Losing him for even a week during a playoff chase is the kind of thing that can sink a season.
And Toronto is in exactly that kind of chase. The Jays are fighting for the final American League wild-card spot, and Guerrero's own numbers this year have lagged behind his monster 2025 season — a drop-off the club is hoping reverses now that he's back in the lineup and healthy.
For fantasy managers riding him down the stretch, this is the update they were waiting on. For the Jays, it's about getting their best hitter back on the field with games running out and a wild-card race that's coming down to the wire.