The Toronto Blue Jays earned  a much-needed win against their American League East archrivals, the New York Yankees, on Friday.

The Blue Jays beat the Yankees 8-5, in large part due to a positive turn in the team's health.

Catcher Alejandro Kirk returned after being out for two months due to a left thumb fracture. He went 3-for-3 with a run and two RBIs in Toronto's win.

Kirk was absent from the lineup for game two of the Blue Jays' three-game series against New York, which began at 3:07 p.m. ET on Saturday at Rogers Centre in Toronto. The reason for Kirk being out of the lineup is presumably due to right-handed starting pitcher Cam Schlittler being on the mound. The Blue Jays started switch-hitting catcher Brandon Valenzuela, likely to get better matchups against Yankees pitchers.

Also absent from the lineup was Toronto's superstar first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Before Toronto's game against New York, manager John Schneider explained the reasoning for Guerrero's absence.

"His back was a little tight yesterday, even going back to the beginning of the game," Schneider said in a pregame interview Saturday shared in a post on "X" via Sportsnet. "I know him well and just said 'Hey, you're good?' 'Yeah I'm good.' ... I think it kind of got a little bit tighter as the game went on. Talked to him after the game and just decided to give him today off and not push it."

Guerrero could be available off the bench for the Blue Jays, based on Schneider's comments. However, the skipper did point out that Guerrero has started nearly every game for the team this year, and that if "anyone needed" a day off, it was him.

The 27-year-old first baseman had a slow start to the season and hasn't had his typical power numbers, but his batting average has slowly increased and his on-base numbers are now at his career clip.

Entering Saturday, Guerrero has slashed .280/.372/.366 with a .738 OPS in 68 games and has hit 12 doubles and three home runs with 27 RBIs.

The team has been plagued with injuries this year. In addition to Kirk's aforementioned injured list stint, designated hitter George Springer has also missed time this year. Outfielders Addison Barger and Daulton Varsho are also both on the injured list due to respective injuries. Starting pitchers Jose Berrios and Cody Ponce are also out for the season.

These aforementioned strings of injuries provides Toronto more of an emphasis to give Guerrero and the rest of its stars days off going forward as the team looks to get back into the thick of the American League playoff race.

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