The Toronto Blue Jays were without Vladimir Guerrero Jr. as they went for a series win over the New York Mets on Tuesday night.
Guerrero was scratched from the Blue Jays' starting lineup with back tightness after originally slotting into the three hole and at first base.
With the late scratch, rookie Sean Keys slid from third to first base, Ernie Clement went from second to third and Luis Urías entered the lineup to play second. Alejandro Kirk moved up in the order to bat third.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that Guerrero "was tight swinging and (they) don't want to push it with him" after what ended as a 3-0 loss.
"Obviously he's been working a lot. I think that plays into how he's feeling"
Schneider added the Blue Jays feel "he's where (they) want him to be and he's really close (at the plate), so (he) didn't want to set him back. ... All signs point to positive after today and hopefully good tomorrow."
Guerrero has already missed time this season with back tightness, sitting out a pair of games on June 13 and 14 against the New York Yankees.
The 27-year-old is in the midst of one of the most trying seasons of his career. Through 81 games, Guerrero is slashing .268/.347/.348 with four home runs and 34 RBIs.
In Monday's win over the Mets, Guerrero went 1-for-4 with a single in the eighth inning.
Earlier Tuesday, MLB provided its first update on Phase 2 of fan voting for the 2026 All-Star Game in Philadelphia, where finalists go head-to-head for a starting spot in the Midsummer Classic.
Guerrero was leading Yankees first baseman Ben Rice 55 per cent to 45 per cent in the voting at first base.
While six other Blue Jays were finalists at their respective positions, Guerrero was the only one to be leading as of the latest update.
