Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. accounted for all of the team's offense in Wednesday's 6-1 loss to the visiting Seattle Mariners, crushing his third home run of the season. Guerrero tied the game at one run apiece with a towering 465-foot shot off Mariners right-hander Logan Gilbert during the seventh inning. It doesn't look like Guerrero is going to recapture his 2021 Silver Slugger form, but he remains one of the most dependable assets one can find in fantasy baseball. While the 25-year-old three-time All-Star had a great spring, he's off to a sluggish start while hitting .200 (10-for-50) with a .742 OPS, three long balls, and five RBI across his first 13 regular-season outings. Guerrero looks to tee off on a Colorado Rockies pitching staff that ranks dead last in ERA (6.57), WHIP (1.78), and batting average against (.297) during a three-game weekend set starting on Friday.

Outfielder George Springer will retain his leadoff spot in the Toronto Blue Jays' batting order to open the 2024 regular season, but the team is leaning toward having first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit second, followed by shortstop Bo Bichette. "I really like the way (Guerrero) is swinging the bat," manager John Schneider said. "I think having him in between George and Bo is a good thing." Guerrero often hit third in 2023, a spot that will now be occupied by mostly Justin Turner. The 25-year-old slugger hit in the three-hole for 110 games in 2023, while batting second only twice. It's a move that probably won't have a drastic affect on Vlad Jr.'s overall numbers, although it could allow him to get more at-bats in the long run.

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is back in mid-season form as he stepped to the plate for Friday's game against the Detroit Tigers. The young slugger went 2-for-3 with a home run and four RBI in the loss. In his nine spring games, Guerrero is 10-for-24 with two home runs and eight RBI. The 24-year-old has been dealing with a knee and finger injury early in camp. However, Guerrero looks healthy now and continues to mash the baseball heading into Opening Day.

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (knee) is back in the team's Grapefruit League lineup on Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates, serving as the designated hitter and batting third for the team. Guerrero has missed spring training games of late due to both knee and finger injuries, but he's fine now and should return to the field by this weekend. The 24-year-old should be just fine for the start of the 2024 regular season by the end of the month. Although fantasy managers shouldn't be expecting Vladdy Jr. to return to his 2021 levels -- when he hit .311/.401/.601 with a league-high 48 home runs and 111 RBI -- he can still serve as a top-five fantasy first baseman in a hitter-friendly home park and a strong Blue Jays lineup.

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (knee), who is dealing with a left-knee contusion, will go through a full workout at the team's player development complex on Tuesday. Guerrero hasn't been sent for imaging, and manager John Schneider said there's "nothing new with him -- just being cautious right now." The Blue Jays don't think the 24-year-old's injury is serious, but he's still being held out of his second straight Grapefruit League game as a precaution. It's nothing to be overly worried about right now, but it's still not what fantasy managers want to see from a player who has had conditioning issues in the past. We probably aren't going to see the gaudy numbers when he hit .311 and blasted 48 homers in 2021, but Vlad still has the potential to be a top-five fantasy first baseman if he can stay healthy.

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (knee) has been scratched from the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's Spring Training contest. The right-handed slugger suffered a left knee contusion during Saturday's game. As a result, the Jays have decided to hold out Guerrero for at least one game. This issue appears to be minor, but the team isn't going to take any chances this early into camp. The expectation is that Guerrero will be back in the lineup within a few days.

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. suffered a jammed left middle finger during a plate appearance on Tuesday in a Grapefruit League game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday. The team gave him a few days to let the discomfort subside but he is scheduled to be in the starting lineup Saturday versus the Philadelphia Phillies. The 24-year-old endured a down 2023 season by his lofty standards, hitting .264 with 26 home runs and a .789 OPS across 156 games played. That said, he is a very attractive bounce-back candidate as ATC projects him to hit 32 home runs alongside 98 RBI, six stolen bases, and an .863 OPS in 2024. He is a quality look at his 33.1 ADP.

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. said he "feels great" at camp this spring and is sporting a leaner physique after putting in hard work to get his body right in the offseason. The 24-year-old arrived this week at camp looking noticeably slimmer and stronger. "He looks great," manager John Schneider said of Guerrero. "He put a ton of work in and I love the way he looks, love the way he's prepared, and that's what really good players do. They take ownership of everything in the offseason and they're ready to go." Fantasy managers can only hope his improved conditioning will lead to another monster season, like the one he had in 2021. But since that year, his offensive numbers have declined, and he had a .788 OPS in 2023. Still, Vladdy's floor is high and he's RotoBaller's No. 5 fantasy first baseman.

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been working out with personal trainer Nicole Gabriel for much of the winter, and by the looks of images and videos posted to her Instagram account, Guerrero's results are impressive, according to the Toronto Sun's Rob Longley. "I think there will be some impressed eyes in camp," manager John Schneider said. "He's in a good spot. I know the work he's done. (Hitting coach Guillermo Martinez) was over to see him hit the other day and said he looks really, really good." The 24-year-old's fitness has been a topic of discussion for most of his career, and he admits his health was part of the story of his disappointing 2023 campaign in which he hit .264 with 26 home runs. Still, Guerrero had 94 RBI and is RotoBaller's No. 5 fantasy first baseman with a high floor entering the 2024 campaign.

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. won his salary arbitration case against the team and will earn $19.9 million in 2024, according to a source. Guerrero will receive a $5.4 million raise this year despite seeing most of his numbers drop in 2023. The 24-year-old three-time All-Star slashed .264/.345/.444 with 26 home runs, 30 doubles, 94 RBI, five stolen bases and 78 runs scored in 156 games in his fifth big-league season. He hasn't come close to replicating his 2021 season, in which he led the league in home runs (48), on-base percentage (.401), slugging percentage (.601), OPS (1.002), total bases (363) and runs scored (123). Guerrero still has a strong fantasy floor in a great hitting environment and in a great lineup, but his 2021 season should be considered an outlier at this point.

The Toronto Blue Jays and All-Star first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. have a salary arbitration case set for Tuesday, and it's believed there have been no negotiations since the Jan. 11 filing deadline, when the team offered $18.05 million and Guerrero asked for $19.9 million. Toronto has been a "file-and-trial" team, meaning they'll only do a multi-year deal outside of a hearing room. Guerrero is eligible for free agency after the 2025 season, so even a two-year deal that only covers 2024 and his final year of arbitration-eligibility next year would be difficult to complete by Tuesday. A $1.85 million gap between offer and ask suggests the two sides struggled to find common ground, which could make things even more contentious after the hearing on Tuesday.

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. went 2-for-5 with two home runs, two runs scored, and two RBI Sunday afternoon against the Tampa Bay Rays. That makes 26 homers for Vladdy this year, which can be considered a disappointment with the power he has. He's now two years removed from 48 long balls. Expect the 24-year-old to be a high pick again next year and is still a dynasty top pick, but next season needs to end better for things to stay that way for much longer.

Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (knee) is back in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays. The 24-year-old was held out of the lineup each of the last two games due to a knee issue. However, Guerrero was able to enter Thursday's contest as a pinch hitter. He'll bat third and serve as the designated hitter versus right-hander Tyler Glasnow on Friday. Fantasy managers who have Guerrero rostered should get him back in the lineup here.

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (knee) entered Thursday's 5-3 loss to the New York Yankees as a pinch-hitter and had an RBI groundout. Guerrero hasn't started the last two games due to right-knee pain, but thankfully an MRI exam ruled out any structural damage, so he should be considered day-to-day heading into Friday's series opener at the Tampa Bay Rays. The Blue Jays can ill-afford to have Vlad Jr. miss much more time as they look to stay in one of the final wild-card spots in the American League to close out the year. Rookie Spencer Horwitz has seen more playing time of late with Guerrero injured. The 24-year-old Guerrero came into Thursday's game hitting .246 (16-for-65) with four home runs, two doubles, 11 RBI and nine runs scored in 17 starts in the final month of the regular season.

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (knee) is out of Thursday's lineup for the series finale against the New York Yankees, but an MRI on his right knee returned negative for structural damage. The 24-year-old is being deemed day-to-day with inflammation, and it appears at this time that he can avoid a stint on the injured list. Fantasy managers can breathe a sigh of relief after Guerrero was scratched from Wednesday's lineup with this somewhat lingering knee issue. Spencer Horwitz is manning the cold corner and batting sixth on Thursday against right-hander Gerrit Cole in Guerrero's stead. Vlad Jr.'s next chance to return comes during Friday's series opener against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (knee) underwent an MRI exam on his right knee on Wednesday after he was scratched from the starting lineup in the Bronx against the New York Yankees. The Blue Jays will know more on his status on Thursday. It's something that has been bothering Guerrero for a bit now, but it's terrible timing for it to flare up with the Blue Jays fighting to hang onto a wild-card spot in the American League down the stretch. Until we know more, fantasy managers should consider the 24-year-old slugger to be day-to-day, but don't be shocked if he's not in Thursday's series finale against the Yanks. The three-time All-Star is having an underwhelming season by his standards by hitting .264/.342/.440 with 24 home runs, 90 RBI, five stolen bases and 71 runs in 147 games in 2023.

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (knee) was scratched from Wednesday's lineup against the New York Yankees with right-knee discomfort. Cavan Biggio will instead start at first base and will bat third against Yankees right-hander Michael King, with rookie Spencer Horwitz serving as the designated hitter. It's not a new issue for Guerrero, but the Blue Jays and fantasy managers will be hoping it's just a one-day absence. Check back on Thursday to see if the right-handed slugger is able to return for the series finale on Thursday against the Yankees in the Bronx. So far in 17 starts in September, Vlad Jr. has gone 16-for-65 (.246) with four home runs, two doubles, 11 RBI and nine runs scored.

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. finished Thursday's 9-2 loss to the visiting Texas Rangers by going 1-for-4 with a home run, two RBI, a run scored and two strikeouts. Guerrero hit his 22nd home run of the year in the first inning, but the Rangers were able to complete the sweep of Toronto anyway. The 24-year-old Canadian slugger has had a disappointing 2023 campaign by his standards, slashing .263/.339/.432 with 22 long balls, 86 RBI, five stolen bases and 68 runs scored in 555 at-bats. Vlad Jr. closed out the month of August with a long hitting streak, but he's now gone just 11-for-49 (.225) with two homers, two doubles, seen RBI, nine strikeouts and six runs scored in 13 starts in the month of September.

The Toronto Blue Jays don't plan to start first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at third base with Matt Chapman (finger) on the injured list, but they're legitimately open to using him at the hot corner late in games as they make substitutions. Guerrero has been taking ground balls at third base this week to prepare for that possibility. Davis Schneider started at third on Monday, although both Santiago Espinal and Cavan Biggio could see starts there in the near future until Chapman's finger is healed up. Guerrero hasn't played more than two innings at third since 2019, and it's probably unlikely that he'll regain fantasy eligibility at the position before the 2023 season is over. Chapman is dealing with a sprained right middle finger that was originally injured in the weight room.

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (finger) is back at first base and is hitting cleanup on Tuesday against the Baltimore Orioles and rookie right-hander Grayson Rodriguez. Guerrero is able to return to the lineup after Monday's off day after he left Sunday's game early against the Cincinnati Reds due to left middle-finger discomfort. The 24-year-old Canadian slugger and three-time All-Star should be returned to starting fantasy lineups in single-year leagues. However, he's been a disappointment for fantasy managers in 2023 with his .265/.343/.432 slash line, 18 home runs, 72 RBI, four stolen bases and 56 runs scored in 121 games. He's gone 15-for-63 (.238) with only one homer, three doubles, six RBI and four runs scored in 17 starts in August.