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Blue Jays Say Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Is Pressing as Power Drought Deepens

The team’s public diagnosis points to pressing rather than injury.

Overview

  • Manager John Schneider, who spoke Tuesday, said Guerrero is trying to do too much and wants to carry the club.
  • Guerrero has only 2 home runs in about 150 at-bats with a .300 average, and he entered Wednesday on a 55-plate-appearance stretch without an extra-base hit.
  • TSN’s Bryan Hayes said pitchers are exploiting him by working low and away, noting he is chasing breaking balls and reacting late to fastballs.
  • Toronto’s lineup has been thinned by injuries to catcher Alejandro Kirk and infielder Addison Barger, with George Springer limited, and the club has gone 3–7 in its last 10 games.
  • Some analysts urge patience, pointing to a strong on-base profile and underlying signs like a higher pulled fly-ball rate and steady bat speed that suggest a rebound is possible.