Blue Jays prospect Guerrero Jr. out at least 3 weeks: report
Injury to rib cage probably ruins any chance 3rd baseman had to open season in majors
Future Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., baseball's top-ranked prospect, suffered a left oblique (rib cage) strain and will need at least three weeks to recover, according to Sportsnet's Shi Davidi.
Guerrero reportedly was injured during a spring training game on Friday.
The three-week time frame effectively makes it near certain he'll be left off the opening day roster.
Guerrero, who will turn 20 on Saturday, spent time last season at double-A New Hampshire and triple-A Buffalo. He is the son of Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero.
In 61 games in New Hampshire, the younger Guerrero batted .402 with 14 home runs and 60 runs batted in. After his promotion to Buffalo, he hit .336 with six homers and 16 RBI in 30 games.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. demonstrating his skills in Spring Training 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/gg0V3c4N6k">pic.twitter.com/gg0V3c4N6k</a>
—@BaseballScoopsThe Blue Jays will gain a year of service time should he spend at least 15 days in the minors before being called up. Had he not been injured, the team likely would have been criticized if it had left him off the roster to ensure the extra year of control.
It is expected the Blue Jays will call him up to the majors at some point in 2019.
Guerrero Jr. was hitting .211 with no home runs over 19 at-bats before he was injured.