Toronto Blue Jays Vladimir Guerrero Jr. gestures to fans during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees Friday, Aug. 21, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Blue Jays’ Guerrero Jr. returns to lineup against Yankees following head injury

Aug 22, 2026 | 9:59 AM

NEW YORK — Toronto Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been reinstated from the seven-day injured list and will be active Saturday against the New York Yankees.

Guerrero left a 3-1 win in Toronto over the Yankees last week 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 returned to the team on Friday and passed his final concussion tests, taking swings in the batting cage after doubling during a minor league rehabilitation game for single-A Dunedin on Thursday.

He was listed second in the batting order Saturday after Toronto lost 3-1 to the Yankees in Friday’s series opener. In a corresponding move, the Jays optioned infielder/outfielder Davis Schneider to triple-A Buffalo.

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.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 22, 2026.

— With files from The Associated Press

The Canadian Press