Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s difficult start to 2026 continued Saturday, and the Toronto Blue Jays star acknowledged that his slump is weighing on him.
"Obviously, I don't feel OK right now," Guerrero said through an interpreter after going 0-for-4 during Saturday's 2-1 win over the Detroit Tigers, according to Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. "I'm not feeling right, and you guys can tell that. I've been working very hard. I'm going to keep battling and going through all of this. I'll be all right."
Much was expected of Guerrero after his monster postseason carried Toronto to within inches of a World Series victory. But the five-time All-Star has looked nothing like himself through the season's first 45 games, recording a .280/.370/.360 slash line with two homers, nine extra-base hits, and 19 RBIs over 189 plate appearances.
Although he was producing despite a power outage in April, the 27-year-old's bat has completely disappeared in May. Guerrero's gone 6-for-51 this month and is currently mired in a 0-for-22 slump. He hasn't recorded an extra-base hit in 16 consecutive games - the longest drought of his career, per Stathead. He's also making far less hard contact, while his average exit velocity has dipped into the 63rd percentile.
His struggles have contributed to the Blue Jays' overall offensive woes, as Toronto ranks 25th in the majors in OPS (.678) and 24th in runs scored (184).
Guerrero said his teammates are supporting him as he fights through the rut, but added that he needs to "find a way" to battle through his issues, per Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith.
"I'm just looking to hit one ball very hard, and it will stay in my head and my mind," he said. "I know things are going to change."
