Report: Blue Jays' Guerrero Jr. 'ahead of schedule' in recovery from oblique injury

The Blue Jays are about to embark on what many expect to be another tough season, but there’s good news before they take the field on Opening Day in Toronto.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s recovery from an oblique injury is reportedly progressing quicker than the club had expected, according to Sportsnet’s Arash Madani.

Manager Charlie Montoyo reportedly told Madani that the 20-year-old has already begun swinging in the batting cage. At this time there’s no plan for him to play in any minor-league games.

Guerrero Jr. suffered a Grade 1 strain in a spring training game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in early March. The club initially expected their top prospect to be shelved for three weeks.

Guerrero’s setback came at an interesting time, as questions surrounding whether or not the rookie would crack the Opening Day roster were swirling prior to the injury. Many wondered if the Blue Jays were going to manipulate Guerrero’s service time in order to buy the club an additional year of team control.

MLB’s top prospect had a huge year in 2018, slashing .381/.437/.636 with 20 home runs in four different levels of the minor leagues. But Guerrero didn’t get off to a great start to spring training, registering four hits, one RBI, and three strikeouts in 19 plate appearances before the injury.

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