Just as the Blue Jays were gaining serious momentum in the AL East, going toe-to-toe with the Yankees and Rays, misfortune struck. The third game against the Guardians saw Vladimir Guerrero Jr taking a hit with an HBP that led to his early exit in the fourth inning of the third game. Now, for a team that thrives on Guerrero’s presence both at the plate and in the clubhouse, the sight of him walking off stirred immediate concern.

But, amid the anxiety, the latest update from the Blue Jays manager John Schneider has put a smile on the faces of the fans. “Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is out of the lineup tonight in Boston after taking a pitch off his right forearm yesterday,” Blue Jays insider Keegan Mathison shared over his X account. But, wait before you conclude. This is not the latest update we are talking about.

The forearm contusion was visibly painful enough for Toronto to take all the precautions, which was why Guerrero was dropped from the series opener. But the manager confirmed later that the injury wasn’t concerning.

“Vladdy’s sore, but he’s all right,” Mathison wrote quoting Schneider. “John Schneider says that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. didn’t need any further tests, so this is a day-to-day thing as he manages the pain,” he further added.

If Mathison’s update is anything to go by, the X-rays and all were part of routine precautions. And it had nothing to do with anything specific.

But, the pitch Vladimir Guerrero took was scary! A 96 mph fastball straight to the arm from Cleveland’s Tanner Bibee. No wonder the fans were holding their breath. Guerrero, who signed that jaw-dropping $500 million deal this past offseason, has been a huge part of Toronto’s push in the AL Wild Card race. So, if he ends up missing for a good period of time, it could spell trouble for the Jays.

Let’s be real, there’s just no replacing a $500 million bat! Currently, Guerrero is tied with George Springer with 11 HRs. Moreover, he is also in the top three position in the Blue Jays’ clubhouse in terms of average and RBIs.

But while the Blue Jays got Guerrero to lead the offense, their pitching lineup hasn’t set the stage ablaze.

The Blue Jays’ multifaceted pitching struggles

Well, the Blue Jays’ pitching staff has been inconsistent throughout the 2025 season. With a team ERA of 4.14, they currently sit at 20th in the league. And that’s a clear indicator that run prevention has been an issue. A team hoping to secure a playoff spot doesn’t want to be in a position typically occupied by the lower-tier teams. But it is what it is!

For starters, the starting rotation has been a mixed bag. Jose Berrios and Chris Bassitt have been relatively reliable, with ERAs under 3.65. But others haven’t stepped up in the same way. It’s worth noting that Kevin Gausman has been shaky (4.21 ERA), but it is the team’s most high-profile offseason signing that has gone for a toss.

Yep, Max Scherzer! He has barely pitched due to recurring injuries. While he is now back after a 60-day IL, a 5.63 ERA doesn’t help much to the team’s cause.

But hey the Blue Jays got some bright spots as well. And that’s their bullpen. With a collective ERA of 3.75, the bullpen has done a decent job holding things together. Names like Chad Green (29 SOs) have led the charge, and the Jays have managed to stay competitive in close games thanks to some solid late-inning work.

In short, a 4.14 ERA simply isn’t going to cut it if the Blue Jays want to hang in the Wild Card race. Time is ticking!