Blue Jays Make Andres Gimenez Decision After John Schneider’s Update
Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Andres Gimenez suffered a hamstring injury.
Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Andrés Giménez exited Thursday’s series finale against the Tampa Bay Rays after appearing to grab at his right hamstring while running out a ground ball in the fourth inning.
Giménez had grounded out to second baseman Richie Palacios, but he showed discomfort while running to first and was helped off the field by Toronto’s manager and training staff. The Blue Jays later announced that he was removed because of right hamstring tightness.
Giménez went 1-for-2 with two stolen bases before leaving, raising his season batting average to .240. He has eight home runs and 49 RBIs in 123 games this season, while his OPS sits at .640, below his career best. His value, however, goes way beyond his offensive production as he leads all MLB players with +80 Outs Above Average since the start of 2022, according to MLB Network.
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With Giménez’s status up in the air entering Friday’s series opener against the New York Yankees, the Blue Jays announced the shortstop will not start against their American League rivals at Yankees Stadium. Ernie Clement will replace Gimenez at shortstop on Friday.
The decision comes after Blue Jays manager John Schneider provided an encouraging update following Thursday’s game. Schneider told Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi that Giménez “felt better, actually, on exam, good strength and good mobility,” adding that the club would see how he felt Friday and was “hopefully dodging another bullet.”
Gimenez’s removal from the lineup coincides with the absence of first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who continues to work through MLB’s concussion protocol. Guerrero remains eligible to return Saturday.
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Toronto enters Friday 63-66 after winning its series against Tampa Bay and going 9-4 over its last 13 games.
The series opener is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET Friday, with Toronto hoping to keep its playoff push moving despite another important absence.