One day after sustaining an on-field scare, Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Andrés Giménez was feeling well enough to break down his stellar defence.
During an in-studio appearance on MLB Network Friday, Giménez said he was feeling better after exiting Thursday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays with right hamstring tightness.
However, Giménez was not included in the Blue Jays' starting lineup for Friday's game against the New York Yankees, with Ernie Clement playing shortstop in his place.
The three-time Gold Glove winner grounded out to second and pulled up in obvious pain after being thrown out at first base.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider shuffled his infield as a result, moving Ernie Clement to shortstop, Kazuma Okamoto to third base and Charles McAdoo to second base, with Brandon Valenzuela entering the game to play first.
Following the game, which the Blue Jays won 5-1, Schneider told reporters that Gimenez "felt better, actually, on exam, good strength and good mobility, so we'll see (how) he wakes up (Friday), hopefully dodging another bullet. He's not going to get an MRI right now. See how he wakes up (Friday) and go from there."
Giménez, 28, has struggled at the plate this season, slashing .240/.284/.356 with eight home runs, but has come up clutch at times, driving in 49 runs, good for second-most on the team.
The Venezuelan infielder is also among the best defenders in baseball, ranking second in the American League with a plus-14 Statcast fielding run value in his first full season at shortstop.
The Blue Jays have suffered multiple recent injuries, including Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s placement on the seven-day concussion injured list and centre fielder Brett Bateman leaving Wednesday's game against the Rays, also with right hamstring tightness.
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