Vladimir Guerrero was removed from the lineup before the match. yankees

NEW YORK — Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was ruled out late from the starting lineup for Wednesday’s game against the Yankees because of soreness in his right knee, the Blue Jays announced about 40 minutes before the first pitch.

Guerrero started at DH in Game 1 of the series on Tuesday, which was curious considering Toronto’s day off on Monday, but it quickly became clear he wasn’t working 100%. In the ninth inning of a 7-1 win at Yankee Stadium, Guerrero looked uncomfortable as he ran toward first base. He was then removed for a pinch runner.

“He’s struggling. His knee is bothering him a little bit,” manager John Schneider said before the move was announced. “Nothing with him.” [tendón] “Knee injury or whatever, it just feels like the season is over.”

Guerrero is coming off a stellar home run in which he has hit three straight games, but he went 0-for-5 on Tuesday and hit some uncharacteristic hits. Since your right knee is the leg you lean on to swing, this discomfort can’t help you.

“It didn’t take long for him to feel the effects of the season,” Schneider said. “But I don’t think that has anything to do with it.”

There was no specific game that aggravated the injury, and Schneider said there is nothing structurally wrong with Guerrero’s knee, but the timing of this couldn’t be worse, as the Blue Jays are in a close race for a spot in the American League. . Guerrero has generally thundered at Yankee Stadium as well, hitting 12 home runs and a .934 OPS in 35 career games.

In Guerrero’s place, Cavan Biggio returned to first base and Spencer Horowitz remained at DH.

The Blue Jays have Brandon Belt recovering from a back injury, and the veteran has recently begun a workout routine with hopes of returning at some point before the end of the regular season.