Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s rehab game in Dunedin went about as well as the Blue Jays could hope.
He went 1-for-1 with an RBI double, scored a run, and drew two walks.
That's a clean line for a hitter working his way back from a concussion.
The double is the encouraging part. It shows he's tracking pitches and driving the ball, not just surviving at-bats.
Two walks add to the picture too, suggesting his eye and timing haven't slipped during the layoff.
Toronto had Guerrero DH for Low-A Dunedin, a low-pressure setting built to test his body without overwhelming it.
Manager John Schneider had already floated Saturday as the target date, Guerrero's first day of eligibility off the concussion IL.
What comes next before an actual activation
One rehab game rarely settles anything on its own. The Blue Jays will still need to see how he feels today and tomorrow.
Concussion recoveries don't always move in a straight line, even after a strong performance like this one.
But a game like this gives Toronto real reason to stick with the Saturday plan instead of pushing it back.
Guerrero has just seven home runs all season, and Toronto's lineup has felt his absence in every game he's missed.
The Blue Jays sit at 62-66, one game back of a wild-card spot, right in the middle of a stretch where his bat matters most.
Whether this rehab line translates into an immediate impact once he's activated is still the real test waiting on the other side of Saturday.
Hopefully this IL stint will help Guerrero reset and come back stronger than ever.
Do you think Vladimir Guerrero Jr. comes back Saturday and picks up right where he left off?
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