Blue Jays vs. Yankees Thursday MLB injury report, odds: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will play, Teoscar Hernandez out

The Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees conclude a highly entertaining four-game set in the Bronx tonight. Blue Jays star and AL MVP favorite Vladimir Guerrero had his hand bloodied during Wednesday's game but stayed in and managed to hit three homers. He is expected in the lineup tonight but usual designated hitter Teoscar Hernandez will not be. The Jays are +120 underdogs at Caesars Sportsbook.

Guerrero needed a few stitches for a cut on his right hand after he got stepped on by Aaron Hicks at the first base bag during Wednesday's game, but it clearly didn't affect much as Baby Vlad finished 4-for-4 with those three homers and four RBIs. It was his second career three-homer game, also having one April 27, 2021 vs. Washington. Guerrero's Hall of Famer father never had one. Vlad Jr. leads the majors with four dingers, and his 76 career homers are the most all-time by a Blue Jay in his first 350 career contests. Fred McGriff held the record of 74.

Hernandez left Wednesday's game with a potential oblique injury during an at-bat in the top of the sixth inning. He's likely headed to the injured list. Hernandez is hitting .316 with a homer and three RBIs after a breakout 2021 season in which he hit .296 with 32 homers and 116 RBIs. It's not clear as of this writing who will DH tonight or going forward. Could be a committee.

New York's lineup is out and outfielder Aaron Hicks and Kyle Higashioka are on the bench – neither is hitting much. Giancarlo Stanton is playing the outfield in a minor rarity with Gleyber Torres at DH. Jose Trevino is behind the plate.

The starting pitchers are Kevin Gausman of the Jays and Luis Severino of the Yankees.

In his Toronto debut Saturday, Gausman allowed three runs and eight hits over five innings of a no-decision vs. Texas. He has allowed one walk or fewer in 10 straight starts, dating to last season with the Giants, the longest active streak in the majors by a non-opener. Gausman hasn't faced the Yankees since 2018. Aaron Judge is 8-for-17 career off him with three homers.

Severino took a no-decision Saturday vs. Boston, allowing two runs and five hits over three. Severino is 5-3 with a 3.71 ERA in 14 career appearances (11 starts) vs. the Blue Jays. Guerrero is 0-for-2 with a K off Severino.

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