Vladimir Guerrero Nearing Minor League Rehab Stint

While Vladimir Guerrero is not guaranteed a spot on the Toronto Blue Jays roster, Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com reports that this is a “mere formality”.  Guerrero has received “glowing reports” while at Blue Jays extended spring training, and the slugger is nearly set to begin a stint in the minors that is expected to lead to his 2012 major league debut.

When the Blue Jays signed Guerrero to a minor league contract earlier this month, general manager Alex Anthopoulos said that he wasn’t sure how the club would use Vlad.  Guerrero was not guaranteed to eventually end up with Toronto’s big league club; his promotion would be determined by his performance in the minors.

So far Guerrero has done his part.

The Blue Jays say Guerrero looks much better than last season when he was hampered by knee injuries with the Baltimore Orioles.  Guerrero has reportedly been moving free and easy at the Blue Jays spring training complex in Florida.

Guerrero is expected to spend a few more days in Florida before he hits the road again to begin his rehab stint in the minors.  Guerrero told reporters that he wants to make sure he is “100 percent” ready when he arrives to Toronto.

It seems just a matter of time before Guerrero joins the Blue Jays roster.  When he does, Guerrero figures to maintain Toronto’s designated hitter’s role.  While this position was filled by slugger Edwin Encarnacion for the start of the season, the Blue Jays roster has been shaken up following the club’s decision to outright first baseman Adam Lind.

This move seems to have opened up a spot for Guerrero in the Blue Jays starting lineup.  Since Lind was outrighted, Encarnacion has been used more at first base.  In this way, the Blue Jays could keep both Guerrero and Encarnacion in their starting lineup on a regular basis.

There’s no telling how Guerrero will perform this season, but he seems to be off to a promising start.  While Guerrero knows he has to earn his spot with the Blue Jays in 2012, he seems to be looking past this season and to an upcoming milestone.  Guerrero has said that it is his goal to reach the 500 home run-plateau, something that would require the slugger to hit 51 more dingers before calling it a career.

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