Blue Jays Manager Delivers Stern Warning to Guerrero After Baserunning Gaffe

Toronto's early-season struggles have included uncharacteristic mistakes that manager John Schneider is working to address.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 3:23pm

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A cubist-style painting breaking down a baseball player sliding into a base into sharp, overlapping geometric planes in the colors of the Toronto Blue Jays' uniform.A fractured, cubist depiction of a Blue Jays player's baserunning mistake, highlighting the team's need to clean up its fundamentals.Los Angeles Today

The Toronto Blue Jays have stumbled out of the gate in 2026, going 5-7 through their first 12 games. Part of the issue has been uncharacteristic mistakes, including a baserunning gaffe by star player Vladimir Guerrero Jr. that manager John Schneider addressed directly with his young slugger.

Why it matters

The Blue Jays were one of the most fundamentally sound teams in baseball last season, but their early-season struggles this year have included sloppy play that has cost them games. Schneider is trying to nip those issues in the bud before they snowball and derail Toronto's playoff hopes.

The details

In one specific incident, Guerrero tried to advance from second to third base on a ground ball, only to be thrown out. Schneider acknowledged the mistake, saying "You want to be a little more careful with nobody out. I get it, and I talked to Vlad about that." The Blue Jays' offensive struggles have forced them to try to manufacture runs, leading to some uncharacteristic gaffes on the basepaths and in the field.

  • The Blue Jays lost six straight games before beating the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday, April 9, 2026.

The players

John Schneider

The manager of the Toronto Blue Jays, tasked with getting the team back on track after a slow start to the 2026 season.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

The star slugger for the Toronto Blue Jays, who has struggled at the plate and on the basepaths in the early going of the 2026 season.

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What they’re saying

“You want to be a little more careful with nobody out. I get it, and I talked to Vlad about that.”

— John Schneider, Manager, Toronto Blue Jays

What’s next

The Blue Jays will look to build on their win over the Dodgers and get their season back on track, with manager Schneider continuing to emphasize the importance of fundamentally sound baseball.

The takeaway

The Blue Jays' early-season struggles have highlighted the importance of playing smart, mistake-free baseball, even for a talented team like Toronto. Manager Schneider is working to address those issues before they become a bigger problem, as the Jays try to regain the form that made them one of the AL's top teams last season.