Blue Jays' Guerrero Jr. not in starting lineup vs. Red Sox

When the Toronto Blue Jays open their series against the Boston Red Sox on Friday, they'll do so without their star slugger.

First baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is not in the Blue Jays' starting lineup after he was hit by a pitch in Thursday's win against the Cleveland Guardians.

Guerrero was struck by a 95 m.p.h. Tanner Bibee sinker on the forearm and was forced to exit Thursday's contest early. The Blue Jays later confirmed that he had x-rays done that came back negative for a fracture.

“Vladdy’s sore, but he’s all right.” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Friday, per MLB.com's Keegan Matheson. The bench boss added that Guerrero won't need further testing and is considered day-to-day as he manages the pain.

Guerrero, 26, has 11 home runs and 40 RBIs this season while slashing .281/.387/.449.

It's unclear if he'll be available off the bench, but in the meantime, utilityman Ernie Clement will start at first base against Boston.

Meanwhile, Schneider provided updates for a couple of other key contributors as well.

Daulton Varsho, who's been on the injured list since early June due to a hamstring injury, has been "running a little bit more" and should be running bases soon.

The outfielder has made 24 appearances for Toronto this year in his third season with the club, slashing .207/.240/.543 with eight home runs and 20 RBIs. Varsho last suited up for the Blue Jays on May 31 in a win against the Athletics. He finished with one hit (a double), one walk and a run through his two plate appearances.

Scheider's update for Anthony Santander, however, wasn't as positive — the slugger is still not swinging or hitting.

Toronto's big off-season addition went to the IL shortly before Varsho, dealing with left shoulder inflammation.

Santander dealt with shoulder and hip issues for the better part of a month, missing a handful of games in that span, before he was put on the IL. The slugger suffered the shoulder injury during the Blue Jays' series against the Los Angeles Angels in early May after crashing into the stands down the right-field line while pursuing a fly ball.

Santander has struggled in his first season with the Jays since signing a five-year, $92.5 million deal in free agency.

Over 50 games, he's batted .179 with a .577 OPS and six home runs, while his 55 strikeouts were a team-worst when he went down and now still ranks third. He last played on May 29 in a win against the Athletics, striking out twice and walking twice in his four plate appearances.

Watch the Blue Jays take on their AL East foe on Sportsnet or Sportsnet+ starting at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT.