Vladimir Guerrero Jr. injury update: Blue Jays star leaves spring training game days before World Baseball Classic

Blue Jays and Dominican Republic fans alike held their breath as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. pulled out of Friday’s spring training game with a knee injury.

Toronto announced He had to be withdrawn from the game due to a problem in his right knee.

Ever since arriving in the big leagues, Guerrero has been a major force in baseball. In 2021, he posted a .311/.401/.601 slash with 48 home runs with 86 walks and 110 strikeouts and was second in AL MVP voting. He had a slightly declining year in 2022 but still has 32 stomped homers with a .274/.339/.480 slash with 116 strikeouts and 58 walks.

With the World Baseball Classic days away, Guerrero’s injury takes on greater prominence. Here’s what we know about his status.

MORE: Dominican Republic World Baseball Classic 2023 roster breakdown

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Injury Update

Guerrero left Friday’s game with a right knee problem. He was reportedly on his way to the clubhouse in the middle of the second inning. He had a single in the first inning before leaving the game.

Guerrero has played in all but three games for the Blue Jays in the last three seasons in the majors.

This section will be updated as more information is reported.

MORE: How to watch Dominican Republic in WBC

Will Vladimir Guerrero Jr play in the WBC?

The Dominican Republic has a legitimate reason for having the most heavily loaded roster at the World Baseball Classic. Depth could be tested if Guerrero is unable to play.

As of now, Guerrero is the team’s daily first baseman. But when an injury limits his availability, first-base options begin to dwindle. Robinson Canó seems like the front-runner to play the position if needed, as he recorded 88.2 innings there with the Mariners in 2018. Nelson Cruz played seven innings at first base for the Rays in 2021. Catcher Gary Sanchez has four career innings going first and catcher Francisco Mejia has 15.1 career innings at the position.

If the team wanted to play with the best lineup rather than the most experienced first baseman, it would likely mean Rafael Devers moving from third base to first base, with Wander Franco, Ketel Marte, Jeremy Peña and Willy Adames taking the time in the two would split middle infield positions.

And even if Guerrero’s injury is minor, there’s still reason to question whether he’ll appear in the WBC. Teams that have players with minor injuries have often asked their players not to risk further injuries at the WBC. The Pirates prevented Ji-Man Choi from participating in the WBC due to an offseason operation in November that GM Ben Cherington described as a “minor intrusion.” Clayton Kershaw’s injury history ultimately prevented him from competing for the United States as he was unable to make an insurance claim to attend the World Baseball Classics.

The Dominican Republic begins its World Baseball Classic game March 11 in Miami, giving Guerrero eight days before the first game to see if he can play.

Match	Date	time (ET)	TV channel
Dominican Republic vs Venezuela	March 11	19 o’clock	FS1, fuboTV
Dominican Republic vs Nicaragua	March 13th	12 o’clock	FS2, fuboTV
Dominican Republic vs Israel	the 14th of March	19 o’clock	FS1, fuboTV
Dominican Republic vs Puerto Rico	March, 15	19 o’clock	FS1, fuboTV