Blue Jays fans will be breathing a sigh of relief after this injury update

Although spring training is a great way for players to get reps before the season against live pitchers and hitters, it also opens up a pathway for players to suffer a season-derailing injury. While players can always get hurt in their free time, nothing stings more than seeing a player go down with a serious injury in a meaningless game.

The Blue Jays nearly felt that sting with third baseman Ernie Clement, who took a fastball to the face in a spring training game against the Tigers on Monday. He was removed from the game out of the fear of a possible concussion and a lip laceration.

Luckily, he was able to avoid a concussion or any fractures, and he'll make his return to the Blue Jays' lineup on Thursday against Detroit.

“Ernie is doing well,” John Schneider said, via Sportsnets' Ben Nicholson-Smith. “He dodged a bullet, literally. Well, not literally, but pretty close to literally. Just a little bit of swelling, but he’s a hockey player at heart, so he’s doing well.”

Blue Jays reveal positive Ernie Clement injury update

Clement's injury was scary, but it did open up some avenues for Schneider to tinker with his lineup a little bit. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. got the start at third base on Wednesday. He initially came up as a third basemen before shifting to first base after his rookie season. Even if Guerrero doesn't play much third base throughout the season, it can't hurt to get him some reps there just in case.

"Just having that availability is what we're looking for," Schneider said. "It may be something as the game unfolds and we’ve got to move (players) around a little bit, but most days it’s going to be at first base."

That flexilibty could also end up hurting Toronto in the long run, however. While a more flexible Guerrero would be great if he resigned with the Blue Jays, him excelling at third could also result in the price of his new contract

Nonetheless, it's good news that Clement is getting better. Nothing scarier than a hit by pitch, and it's clear the injury could have been serious and put him out for an extended period of time.