TORONTO — Vladimir Guerrero Jr. can have 5 extra video games to file six hits if he’s to achieve the numerous 200-hit plateau.
The Toronto Blue Jays first baseman went 0-for-4 within the membership’s 4-1 loss to the Boston Pink Sox on Monday on the Rogers Centre.
The loss opened the ultimate homestand of the season for the Blue Jays, who play two extra in opposition to the Pink Sox earlier than three in opposition to the Miami Marlins.
With the Blue Jays taking part in out the string in a misplaced season, the one actual charming storyline within the final week is whether or not Guerrero can develop into the sixth participant in franchise historical past to file 200 hits in a single season.
The 25-year-old is sitting at 194 hits and it regarded like he’d get his 195th within the fourth inning when he hit a ball deep to left-centre area however Pink Sox left fielder Jarren Duran made a working catch to rob Guerrero of a attainable double. Within the ninth, Guerrero tried to beat out an infield single, however Pink Sox third baseman Nick Sogard acquired the throw off in time. (This was confirmed by a assessment that dominated Guerrero out.)
In a season characterised by discontent, one of many important brilliant spots of the 2024 marketing campaign has been the play of Guerrero. The slugger entered this season with the query of whether or not he was a famous person (à la his 2021 near-MVP efficiency) or simply an excellent participant (à la his 2022 and 2023 seasons). He answered it, emphatically, by placing up a stat line that reaffirms he’s one in every of in the present day’s nice hitters.
By means of 154 video games, Guerrero is slashing .324/.397/.548 with a 166 wRC+. Within the second half alone, he’s hit .384 with a 226 wRC+.
Guerrero has already set a brand new profession excessive in hits, besting the 188 he recorded in 2021, however reaching the 200 mark would put him in an unique membership with simply 5 different Blue Jays gamers who’ve additionally achieved the feat (Vernon Wells, Tony Fernandez, Paul Molitor, Shannon Stewart and John Olerud). As well as, Guerrero would develop into the second participant in membership historical past to file not less than 200 hits, 30 dwelling runs and 100 RBIs in a single season after Wells had 215 hits, 33 dwelling runs and 117 RBIs in 2003.
The runway is working out for Guerrero to perform the significant milestone, however the first baseman has had 52 multi-hit video games this season, so getting a few knocks per sport is properly inside his attain.
Danny Jansen returns to Toronto with the Pink Sox
With the Pink Sox visiting this week, Danny Jansen returned to Toronto for the primary time for the reason that Blue Jays despatched him to the division rival on the commerce deadline.
Jansen, who spent 11 years with the Blue Jays group, was requested if there are any Toronto spots he needs to go to throughout his return. “In all probability a Tim Hortons,” he stated, prompting laughs from the assembled media.
Developed from a uncooked teenager right into a well-rounded catcher, Jansen established himself as a fan favorite among the many Blue Jays devoted since his MLB debut in 2018.
From the group.
From the neighborhood.
From the nation.Welcome again, Jano! ❤️🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/J48lIIYMf0
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) September 24, 2024
Halfway via the primary inning, the group performed a tribute video for Jansen, which led to him stepping out of the guests’ dugout to acknowledge the applauding followers and giving a nod to his former teammates within the dwelling dugout.
“I believed we did a very good job to acknowledge him in that means,” Blue Jays supervisor John Schneider stated. “I believe if there’s anybody that’s deserving for that, it’s Jano for what he’s achieved on this group, what he’s performed on this neighborhood and what he’s performed on this clubhouse. I believed it was a fantastic video.”
When the 29-year-old catcher arrived on the Rogers Centre on Monday, he visited the house clubhouse to meet up with Blue Jays gamers and employees. Although he’s managed to be in contact together with his teammates for the reason that commerce, together with just lately exchanging texts with Davis Schneider after he used one in every of Jansen’s previous bats and went 3-for-4 with a house run.
“He didn’t ask for my permission,” Jansen quipped earlier than including, “Davis is nice, and he despatched me a textual content proper after. He’s like, ‘Guess what bat I used to hit a homer?’ After which I believe he broke it that night time as properly, however he stated he acquired successful breaking it, so it went down a hero. I believe I acquired a bunch of bats mendacity round there someplace.”
Following his July commerce to the Pink Sox, Jansen stated it took about two weeks for the shock to put on off and for him to regulate to his new environment. However he stated the “welcoming” group in Boston helped ease his transition.
When the Pink Sox acquired Jansen on July 27, they had been 1 1/2 video games again of a wild-card spot and making an attempt to make a postseason push. However a 22-27 file since Aug. 1 has sunk their probabilities. Even when Jansen, a free agent after the season, isn’t making an October run with Boston, he nonetheless referred to as the expertise “nice.”
“Teammates have been superior. Workers’s been nice. And everyone’s simply tremendous welcoming,” Jansen stated. “It’s been a variety of enjoyable to battle with these guys and to compete, day in and day trip. It’s been a fantastic expertise thus far.”
As for the way the season unfolded with the Blue Jays, who regardless of preseason ambitions to compete, will end final within the division with their worst file since 2019, Jansen stated it was disappointing to underperform however it’s a part of taking part in the sport.
“You’re going into spring coaching, making an attempt to be the most effective group you may and, clearly, didn’t go that means all year long,” Jansen stated. “However that’s a part of the sport. And no one expects to not be the most effective group proper off the bat and all that stuff. However that’s the way in which the sport goes. And getting traded is a part of it.”
Blue Jays harm updates
Bo Bichette is travelling to Arizona to satisfy with a hand specialist on Tuesday to debate the following steps for his proper center finger fracture.
The season-ending finger harm occurred final week throughout a freak accident whereas the Blue Jays shortstop was fielding floor balls earlier than the sport, per MLB.com. The timing of the harm was notably irritating as a result of Bichette had solely returned from a two-month IL stint the day earlier than.
When Bichette returned from the suitable calf pressure, the hope had been he might play within the season’s ultimate two weeks and use it to finish what’s been a troublesome season on a optimistic observe. As a substitute, Bichette hit the IL once more, and now the priority is simply getting the finger mounted.
In the meantime, Daulton Varsho had surgical procedure on his proper rotator cuff on Monday. The surgical procedure was carried out by well-known orthopedic surgeon Dr. Keith Meister in Dallas, Texas. The Blue Jays hadn’t but obtained an replace from Varsho post-surgery, however the expectation is the centre fielder’s restoration might prolong into spring coaching, however he’ll be prepared for the beginning of subsequent season.
And Kevin Gausman threw a light-weight facet session on Monday and his again felt fantastic, the Blue Jays supervisor stated. Gausman left his final begin in Texas after 5 hitless innings with decrease again tightness. He’s on monitor to begin Wednesday’s finale in opposition to the Pink Sox, his final begin of the season.
(Picture of Vladimir Guerrero Jr: Raymond Carlin III / Imagn Photos)
