Report: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. returning to lineup Monday against Twins

Star slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is returning to Toronto’s lineup on Monday night when the Blue Jays open a three-game home series against the Minnesota Twins.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Guerrero has been out of the starting lineup for the last five games after suffering hamstring inflammation in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates last Monday.

It was expected the 26-year-old would be ready to return to the starting lineup after he entered Sunday’s series finale in Miami as a pinch-hitter in the eighth innings, although he popped out in his at-bat.

Fresh off signing a $500 million contract in early April, Guerrero is ranked second on the Blue Jays in batting average (.298), home runs (21) and RBIs (69).

Toronto enters Monday with the second-best record in the American League at 76-55, while holding a five-game lead at the top of the AL East standings.