Andres Gimenez didn't come back out for the bottom of the fourth against the Rays tonight.
He'd been running to first base earlier in the game when something clearly wasn't right.
Toronto hasn't detailed the reason yet, but the exit triggered an immediate defensive shuffle.
Brandon Valenzuela slid in at first base to cover the spot.
Kazuma Okamoto shifted from first to third, pushing Charles McAdoo from third over to second.
Ernie Clement rounded out the chain, moving from second base to shortstop.
Four players changing positions in the middle of a game isn't something a bench coach draws up for fun. It's damage control.
Why another injury scare hits differently right now
Toronto is already navigating a lineup without Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who's working his way back from the concussion IL.
Losing Gimenez, even for a night, adds another layer of stress to a defense that's had to adjust on the fly all season.
Gimenez is hitting .8 home runs into a strong recent stretch, with eight hits over his last 10 games before tonight.
Whatever pulled him from this one, the Blue Jays will need clarity fast given where the season stands.
Toronto sits at 62-66, one game back of a wild-card spot, in a stretch that leaves zero room for absorbing extra absences.
The defensive reshuffle held up for now. Whether Gimenez is back tomorrow or facing something more serious is the next thing to watch.
However, Gimenez did seem to be in a quite a bit of pain which is why this injury might end up keeping him out of the lineup for an extended period of time.
Are you worried this is a significant injury for Andres Gimenez?
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