The Toronto Blue Jays are 73-53, but they had one of their worst days of the season on Monday. Not only did they lose 5-2 to the last-place Pittsburgh Pirates, but star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. left in the fifth inning due to hamstring tightness.
The Blue Jays can ill-afford to lose Guerrero, who leads the team with a .298/.396/.498 slash line and is eighth in baseball with an .894 OPS. The 26-year-old also tops the team with 21 homers. He’ll have an MRI on Monday nightvia MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson.
Toronto’s loss on Monday bumped it one-half game behind the Detroit Tigers for the best record in the American League. Additionally, its lead over the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees for first place in the AL East shrank to five games.
That’s in addition to manager John Schneider’s pregame update about relief pitcher Yimi García (elbow), who’s dealing with ulnar nerve symptoms, via Matheson.
“We’re still kind of working through it,” he said. “It was kind of an unproductive visit, if you will. No real update on him.”
Matheson added it’s “feeling less and less likely we see him again in the regular season, but TBD.” García, who has a 3.86 ERA in 22 appearances this year, hasn’t pitched since July 2.
Schneider on Yimi García, who’s still dealing with ulnar nerve symptoms:
“We’re still kind of working through it. It was kind of an unproductive visit, if you will. No real update on him.”
Feeling less and less likely we see him again in the regular season, but TBD. #BlueJays— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) August 18, 2025
Yimi García is Vital to Blue Jays’ Bullpen
Although Toronto’s bullpen is filled with talented hurlers such as closer Jeff Hoffman (sixth in MLB with 27 saves) and setup man Brendon Little (tied for sixth with 24 holds), García is one of the most experienced. The 35-year-old has a 3.61 ERA in 436 career appearances, along with 89 holds and 29 saves out of 58 opportunities.
García also pitched 2 1/3 scoreless playoff innings for the Blue Jays and had a 2.70 ERA in 29 appearances before they traded him to the Seattle Mariners last season. The right-hander returned to Toronto on a two-year deal in December and didn’t give up an earned run in March or April.
García’s absence will put more pressure on the rest of the pitching staff as the Blue Jays try to defend their division lead. On the bright side, trade deadline acquisition and former AL Cy Young Award-winner Shane Bieber will make his debut with the team on Friday. If the 30-year-old recaptures his pre-injury magic, he could be the boost Toronto needs to secure the AL East title.
Related: Blue Jays Announce Vladimir Guerrero Jr. News After Leaving Pirates Game
Related: Bo Bichette Addresses Blue Jays Future as Contract Decision Nears
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 19, 2025, where it first appeared in the MLB section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
