Toronto Blue Jays send Vladimir Guerrero Jr to minor league camp

The inevitable has happened – the Toronto Blue Jays have sent Vladimir Guerrero Jr to their minor league camp.

As soon as it was learned that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. suffered a strained oblique that would sideline him for three weeks, it was inevitable that the Toronto Blue Jays would send him to the minors. It would make sense, as Guerrero would need to get himself back into playing shape, especially as he would miss the latter part of Spring Training. And, the Blue Jays could send him to the minors without having to give some sort of excuse instead of admitting that they were manipulating his service time.

That inevitable move happened on Thursday. The Blue Jays made the decision to option Guerrero to their minor league camp, a move that is mainly procedural at this point.

Even if Guerrero had remained healthy, this move was likely inevitable. The Blue Jays had begun to lay the groundwork to send him to the minors, saying that he needed to work on his conditioning. Likewise, they had mentioned his defense, saying that they wanted him to be the best possible third baseman he could be. And, naturally, approximately a dozen games in AAA would make all the difference in the world in that aspect.

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Guerrero was not exactly making the decision difficult for the Blue Jays prior to getting hurt. He only had four hits in 20 plate appearances, drawing one walk and striking out three times. It is possible that Guerrero was pressing in an attempt to make the Blue Jays Opening Day roster, but he did not look like the consensus top overall prospect he is.

That production was also a far cry for his output in the minors last season. Despite missing time with another injury, he had a combined .381/.437/.636 batting line with 20 homers and 29 doubles in his 408 plate appearances. In fact, had he not been injured, it was possible that Guerrero would have gotten his first major league action with a September call up.

Now, he will have that chance to work on those issues the Blue Jays cited as possible reasons why he would need time in the minors. He can work on getting in better shape, and improving his defense, all while getting back into game shape once again. If he starts his time in AAA with the same production he had last year, that call to the majors will not take long.

The Toronto Blue jays made the inevitable move of sending Vladimir Guerrero Jr.to their minor league camp. Given his injury situation, it was really the only move they could make.