Former Blue Jays star Vernon Wells hints at potential Vladimir Guerrero Jr. injury issue while calling out troll

Everyone is entitled to their opinions, you just have to be willing to own them if you get called out. Such is the case with a recent exchange by a user on X who made a few comments about Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who has been mired in a season long slump. There have been moments where it seems like Guerrero is about to turn the page and turn up the heat, but that hasn't really happened at all in 2026.

The comments caught the attention former Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Vernon Wells who clapped back. You can see the full exchange below:

Wells isn't a part of the Blue Jays medical staff so we can't be sure that he knows 100% that there actually is an issue with Vladdy. But speaking from personal experience, it's fair to say he knows a lot more about what players go through over the course of a season. Wells reiterated that in a subsequent tweet where he said, "I just want everyone to understand that this game and life is more than a paycheck. It’s sacrifice that only very few people can comprehend.

I don’t know if there is something or not but I’ve been in his shoes and I know what I battled through. Was it smart, that up for debate but I know would rather play at 80% than not be out there with my team. His engine is the same."

Hearing some perspective from a former player shouldn't be dismissed so easily. Wells wasn't necessarily suggesting Guerrero is hiding a specific ailment. Rather, he was reminding fans that players often take the field less than 100 per cent, especially during the relentless six-month marathon that is a Major League season.

The exchange eventually shifted from criticism to mutual respect, with Connor acknowledging that "162 is a different kinda grind." Wells quickly agreed and replied,
"It's a monster!!"

Whether Guerrero is dealing with a physical issue or not, Wells' broader point was that there is often much more happening behind the scenes than what fans ever get to see.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s season has been frustrating, but fans may not know the full story

To be fair, the criticism surrounding Guerrero is warranted, although the comment that "Not enough people are talking about Vlad Jr." isn't exactly true. It's been one of the major talking points for the Blue Jays all season and has been part of the focus of some national attention, especially early on when other sluggers like Cal Raliegh and Fernando Tatis Jr. weren't setting the world on fire either.

After signing his massive long-term extension, Guerrero has fallen well short of the offensive expectations of fans across the game. His power numbers have dipped dramatically, and his home run total remains one of the biggest surprises in baseball. In fact, when he hit his first home run at Rogers Centre earlier this month (yes, September) it was one of the more memorable moments of the season - you can decide whether that's a good or a bad thing.

However, as Jays Journal has previously noted, Guerrero's production has often been tied directly to the Blue Jays' success. Despite the lack of power, he has continued to impact games in other ways, whether that's by reaching base without the slug and providing Gold Glove level defence. At the same time though, there is no denying that this has been one of the most disappointing offensive seasons of Guerrero's career.

There have also been signs that bad luck has played a role. Several stretches of the season have featured hard-hit balls finding gloves or the very top of the wall, rather than finding gaps and going over the fence.

While neither the fans, nor Wells, knows for sure what is ailing Guerrero, this really has been an unexpected turn of events for the franchise cornerstone. Especially coming off last years tremendous postseason run.

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