Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s teammate demoted to Triple-A after slow start with Blue Jays

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will be without a familiar teammate on the field as the Blue Jays have made a roster move aimed at improving overall team performance. The struggling outfielder was deemed to be underperforming.

According to an announcement from the Toronto Blue Jays‘ official X account, the player optioned to Triple-A is Davis Schneider. Through his first 10 games of the 2025 season, Schneider had contributed just 2 runs, 1 hit, and 1 RBI, posting a .067 batting average.

It’s worth noting that Schneider was a frequent presence alongside Guerrero Jr. last season, appearing in over 100 games. In total, he played in 135 contests, hitting .191 with 76 hits, 46 RBIs, and a career-high 13 home runs. Expectations were high that he could significantly improve upon those numbers in 2025.

How Does Schneider’s Demotion Impact the Blue Jays’ Lineup?

The immediate impact on the Blue Jays’ lineup appears minimal. As his role indicated, Schneider served primarily as a utility player on the roster. He would occasionally start games, but was also frequently used for strategic shifts or to give everyday starters a breather during contests. Through most of the 2025 MLB season, he had either been entering or exiting the lineup mid-game.

So far, the Blue Jays seem to be performing reasonably well with an 11-8 record heading into the final stretch of April, which they hope will be a more successful month overall. Prior to the announcement of Schneider’s demotion, the team had just secured two consecutive wins in their series against the Braves.

Schneider’s Contract

Crucially, Schneider holds an active contract with the Blue Jays worth $780,000, which should provide him with motivation to improve and earn a return to the major leagues. He hasn’t played in the minors since 2023, when he spent his final year with Buffalo, posting a .275 batting average – a performance that ultimately earned him his promotion to the majors.