Blue Jays down Yankees as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. enters concussion protocol after collision

The Toronto Blue Jays secured a 3-1 victory over the New York Yankees at Rogers Centre on Friday night, with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. entering the concussion protocol following a collision. Shane Bieber pitched six innings for the Blue Jays, while Alejandro Kirk added a homer. Tyler Rogers and Mason Fluharty contributed with innings from the bullpen, and Louis Varland secured his 27th save.

Trent Grisham hit a solo home run for New York in the sixth inning. George Springer scored the go-ahead run on a double by Kirk, and Guerrero scored the decisive run when Lombard collided with him. Guerrero, who appeared dazed, was removed from the game and replaced by Charles McAdoo. John Schneider informed reporters that Guerrero is undergoing concussion testing and is experiencing a headache.

The collision involved Lombard's knee hitting Guerrero's head. Guerrero had been struggling in 2026 with a .263/.337/.356 batting average and had not scored a run at Rogers Centre. He had missed several games due to hamstring tightness in recent months. The Blue Jays took advantage of questionable defense, leading the inning when George Springer hit a ground ball that bounced to Ryan McMahon, who threw to third base, allowing Luis Garcia Jr. to score.

Springer then drove in the go-ahead run on Kirk's double. The Yankees, who have the second-best record in the American League behind the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays, entered the game with a 68-54 record, two games back from the Detroit Tigers, who were seeking to clinch the final AL wild-card spot.