Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Homers Twice in Blue Jays' 11-6 Spring Training Win Over Yankees

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. announced his readiness for the 2026 season in emphatic fashion on Monday afternoon, launching two home runs and driving in five RBIs to power the Toronto Blue Jays to an 11-6 victory over the New York Yankees in Grapefruit League action at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa.

The 27-year-old first baseman was locked in from his first at-bat, taking Yankees starter Gerrit Cole deep with a two-run homer in the second inning before adding a towering three-run shot to left field in the fifth inning off reliever Clay Holmes. Both homers traveled over 420 feet and showcased the raw power that made Guerrero one of baseball's most feared hitters during his MVP-caliber 2021 season.

"Vlad looked fantastic today," said Blue Jays manager John Schneider after the victory. "His swing looks as good as I've seen it, and he's seeing the ball really well. When he's locked in like that, there aren't many pitchers who can get him out. If he can carry this into the regular season, we're going to be a very dangerous offensive team."

The offensive explosion was a team-wide effort for Toronto, with Bo Bichette adding three hits including a triple, and George Springer contributing two doubles and three RBIs. The Blue Jays' 11 runs came off 15 hits, demonstrating the kind of balanced attack that could make them legitimate contenders in the competitive American League East.

Cole struggled in his spring debut for the Yankees, allowing four runs on six hits over 3.1 innings pitched. The veteran right-hander appeared to be working on his slider command rather than focusing solely on results, though he expressed satisfaction with his fastball velocity and overall arm strength following his first significant outing of the spring.

Guerrero's impressive showing comes as he enters a crucial contract year, with the Blue Jays eager to lock up their cornerstone player long-term while Guerrero seeks to prove he remains among the game's elite hitters. His two-homer performance provides an encouraging sign that he's ready to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 season and return to the MVP-level production that made him a superstar. With the regular season still five weeks away, Guerrero's spring surge suggests Toronto's offense could be among the American League's most potent units.