Vladimir Guerrero Jr. powers through as Rowdy Tellez DFA’d in Blue Jays move

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. powers through as Rowdy Tellez DFA’d in Blue Jays move

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. drove in the go-ahead run on 15 Jul 2026 as the Toronto Blue Jays designated Rowdy Tellez for assignment, a roster shake-up tied to Guerrero’s recent offensive surge. The slugger’s clutch two-run single capped a 6-3 win over the visiting Seattle Mariners, keeping the Jays in playoff contention.

What happened in Toronto on 15 Jul 2026?

Guerrero Jr. stepped to the plate in the seventh with the Blue Jays trailing 3-2 and one out. He laced a 2-2 fastball from Seattle reliever Andrés Muñoz over the left-field wall, giving Toronto a 4-3 lead it wouldn’t relinquish. The blast marked Guerrero’s 24th home run of the season and his fifth in his last 12 games, a stretch that’s pushed his slash line to .289/.361/.512. Tellez, meanwhile, was removed from the 40-man roster after hitting just .218 with 11 homers in 68 games this year.

Why it matters for Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

The DFA of Tellez frees up a roster spot for top prospect Addison Barger, but it also underscores Guerrero’s growing influence in Toronto. Since the All-Star break, Guerrero is 12-for-31 with three homers and a 1.200 OPS in high-leverage spots. Manager John Schneider admitted the move was partly about “creating opportunities for Vladimir to play every day.” Guerrero has started 18 of the last 20 games at first base or designated hitter, spelling aging veteran Whit Merrifield more often.

What comes next for Guerrero and the Blue Jays?

The Blue Jays sit 51-47, four games back of the third AL Wild Card spot. Their next four games are against the division-rival Orioles, a series that could tighten the race. Guerrero’s bat remains the club’s biggest weapon; he’s now tied for fifth in the majors in RBIs since 1 Jul. Schneider said Guerrero will continue to see regular at-bats “until we say otherwise.”

The Blue Jays’ front office now faces a choice: trade Tellez’s remaining $10 million salary or absorb it. Either way, Guerrero’s bat keeps Toronto in every game: and in every headline.