Blue Jays' Andres Gimenez (hamstring) exits game vs. Rays

Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Andres Gimenez exited after a fourth-inning at-bat with a tight right hamstring in the series finale against the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday afternoon in St. Petersburg, Fla.

The three-time Gold Glove winner reached back for his right hamstring on a hard sprint to first base, coming up short on a grounder to second. He limped off the field with manager John Schneider and the training staff. The Blue Jays announced the injury during the game.

Gimenez, 27, went 1-for-2 to boost his batting average to .240. He also had two stolen bases.

Also on Thursday, the Blue Jays announced Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is nearing a return from concussion protocol and will make a rehab start with Class A Dunedin.

He is in the lineup as the designated hitter for Thursday's game at Clearwater, batting third.

The Blue Jays placed Guerrero on the seven-day injured list Saturday with a head injury.

The six-time All-Star exited Toronto's 3-1 win over the New York Yankees in the sixth inning Friday after taking an inadvertent knee to the head from shortstop George Lombard Jr. while sliding into third base.

Guerrero, 27, is batting .263 with seven homers and 46 RBIs in 115 games this season.

His return will be welcomed by Schneider and the Blue Jays. Toronto (62-66) is in the mix for the third American League wild-card berth, entering Thursday one game back of the Minnesota Twins (63-65), who currently occupy that spot.

--Field Level Media