Vlad Jr. lands on DL with left knee injury
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TORONTO -- Blue Jays' top prospect Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was placed on the 7-day DL with Double-A New Hampshire on Thursday as he continues to undergo evaluations following a left knee injury sustained during Wednesday's game against Akron.
Guerrero was lifted for a pinch-runner in the fourth inning shortly after singling to right on Wednesday. Per reports out of New Hampshire, Guerrero limped off the field and appeared to be favoring his left leg, which he injured while running out an infield single on Saturday against Binghamton.
Guerrero is batting .407/.457/.667 with 11 home runs and 55 RBIs in 53 games for the Fisher Cats this season.
Toronto also released an update on right-hander Marcus Stroman, who is on the 10-day disabled list because of a shoulder injury. Stroman is scheduled to throw three innings in a simulated game at the club's Minor League complex in Dunedin, Fla. Stroman would then advance to an official rehab assignment.
Waiting word on Donaldson
Third baseman Josh Donaldson is eligible to return from the 10-day DL on Friday, but Toronto has yet to announce whether it's going to happen. Donaldson remained somewhat non-committal during a media availability on Wednesday and the following day his manager followed suit.
"When he comes back, he's going to be ready to go," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. "That's the way I look at it ... I don't know yet if [a Friday return] is going to happen. We'll see."
<p:> New position for Hernandez
The Blue Jays have decided to move Teoscar Hernández to left field on a permanent basis. Hernandez has spent the majority of his time this season in right field, but he's experienced more than his fair share of defensive issues at the position. The 25-year-old has the arm for right, but his range and overall instincts seem better suited to left.
The move across the diamond likely will open the door for Randal Grichuk to receive more playing time. Grichuk, who made a rare start in center on Thursday night vs. Baltimore, will split time with veteran Curtis Granderson in right and, with the Blue Jays' record dipping well below .500, it's possible the Blue Jays will look to give the younger outfielder an extended look.
"Now and in the future, probably," Gibbons said of the Hernandez move. "Grandy can go either way. ... We figured we would move [Grichuk] back there because that might be his future spot."
More changes for Biagini
Right-hander Joe Biagini has once again abandoned his windup following a full-time move to the bullpen. Biagini opened his career in Toronto as a reliever and pitched out of the stretch, but when the 28-year-old was moved to the bullpen last year he began experimenting with a windup. The starting role has since been taken away and the Blue Jays are now focused on making it work as a reliever.
"I think throwing him back in the 'pen, I think it's going to take him a few appearances to get back to the way he used to be," Gibbons said of Biagini, who surrendered three runs in the 13th inning of Wednesday night's loss to New York. "I think he's still going to be valuable to us, but I didn't expect it to happen [right away]. You hope it did but he has to get back into that frame of mind, too. Cut it loose for however long you're out there."