BALTIMORE -- was out of the lineup Monday night as the Blue Jays opened their series against the Orioles, clinging to their fading postseason chances. 

Guerrero was removed from Sunday’s finale against the Rangers with left lower back tightness, something that flared up when he stretched to make a play at first base a couple of days prior. It hadn't improved much by the time the Blue Jays got to Baltimore.

The Blue Jays enter this week’s three-game set in Baltimore sitting a full three games back of the White Sox and do not hold that tiebreaker, making their path to the third Wild Card spot extremely challenging. Still, manager John Schneider expects Guerrero to be back in the lineup soon, regardless of the Wild Card context.

“As long as he feels better and isn’t really uncomfortable swinging,” Schneider said. “He’s really just day to day.”

Guerrero has dealt with some back issues throughout the season, one of several minor issues he’s played through. During Sunday’s game in Texas, though, it began affecting his swing enough for the Blue Jays to make a move. 

“It’s more when he’s landing and rotating,” Schneider said. “You could see it in some of his swings yesterday. We knew going in that he was a little tight, but he was not really getting his normal swing off.”

Given the rain in the forecast this week in Baltimore, including what looks like a messy day on Tuesday, it’s possible Guerrero has some additional time to heal up. After this series, the Blue Jays return home to face the Reds beginning Friday for their final regular-season series.