The Blue Jays announced that Lourdes Gurriel Jr. has been placed on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to September 8, after straining his left hamstring. Infielder Otto López has been recalled from Triple-A Buffalo to take the vacated active roster spot.
Gurriel suffered the injury attempting to beat out a throw at first base during Wednesday’s game against the Orioles. The Jays used yesterday’s off day to evaluate Gurriel, and it seems his absence could extend beyond the mandated week and a half. The team informed reporters (including Keegan Matheson of MLB.com and Shi Davidi of Sportsnet) the strain is “moderate” and suggested he could miss more than the minimum amount of time.
The 28-year-old has been the Jays primary left fielder this season. He’s having a decent year, posting a .291/.343/.400 line across 493 plate appearances. Gurriel’s five home runs aren’t the prototypical power numbers of a corner outfielder, but he’s ripped 32 doubles and is putting the ball in play at a strong rate. His 16.3% strikeout rate is around six points below the league average, a key reason Gurriel’s hitting over .290.
The Jays are turning to Raimel Tapia in left field tonight. They’ve got a handful of outfield options on the roster, with Tapia, Jackie Bradley Jr., Cavan Biggio and Bradley Zimmer from the left side and Whit Merrifield and López hitting right-handed. Interim skipper John Schneider figures to play platoon advantages in the corners, while star George Springer has center field accounted for.
Toronto enters play Friday six games back of the Yankees in the AL East, occupying third place in the division. They hold the final AL Wild Card spot, within two games of both the Rays and Mariners while holding a 4 1/2 game cushion over the Orioles. The Jays will have to continue their battle for a playoff spot without their left fielder for at least the next nine days.
Strained his hammy while hustling to beat out a ball at first? Time to ban hustling!!!
Manny Machado approves
With next year’s larger bases, he wouldn’t have had to stretch quite as far.
Ankles turned by hitting a base wrong are going through the roof next year though.
I know he’s on paternity but how do you forget Teoscar
Teoscar is a friggin beast
Strange, Bichette got the same injury blow drying his hair. But he didn’t go on the IL.
We’ll see if George can make it through September
Zimmer is not an option. He only plays outfield closer (comes in when leading in the 9th)
Blue Jays will make the postseason but they always seen like they’re an injury away from being better.