Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has undergone laser eye surgery in an effort to improve his performance after a career-low season in 2026. The procedure was performed by Dr. Gabriel Lazcano at the Laser Eye Center of Miami, with the clinic’s Instagram post expressing hopes for an MVP-caliber year and more home runs following the correction.
Guerrero, 27, experienced a sharp decline from his previous peak, when he finished second in the American League MVP voting in 2021. That year he hit 48 home runs with 121 RBI and posted a slash line of .311/.401/.601. Since then, his power numbers had averaged around 28 homers per season until this year’s steep drop.
In 144 games during the 2026 campaign, Guerrero managed only nine home runs, 25 doubles, and 57 RBI, with a slash line of .260/.332/.356. This was his lowest output since the COVID-shortened 2020 season. His production was hampered by concussion symptoms and lower back tightness late in the year. One striking anomaly was his failure to hit a home run at Rogers Centre until mid-September, a surprising fact given the ballpark ranks among the top 10 most home run-friendly stadiums in Major League Baseball according to Park Factors.
Guerrero has dealt with vision issues before, wearing contact lenses during games and eyeglasses off the field, as reported by The Athletic. Whether the surgery was encouraged by the Blue Jays or was a personal decision remains unconfirmed. The club and the player appear hopeful the operation will help him regain the form that made him a six-time All-Star.
The slugger did not avoid criticism over his struggles, especially in light of his 14-year, $500 million contract extension. In an interview with Veronica Batista of Noticias Telemicro, Guerrero said, “The money they gave me wasn't for what I'm going to do. It was for what I already did.” The remark sparked backlash, and Guerrero later apologized after his father, Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero, advised him that the comment was a mistake.
Guerrero’s drop in performance has been stark enough to raise questions about his future trajectory. After his standout 2021 season, expectations remained high, but the last two years have seen a steady decline culminating in a disappointing 2026. His decision to undergo laser eye surgery signals a willingness to address any physical limitations that might have contributed to the downturn.
The Blue Jays, who have invested heavily in Guerrero, will be closely watching how his vision correction translates onto the field next season. For now, the surgery is the latest confirmed step toward a potential rebound for one of baseball’s most prominent young hitters.
According to Yahoo Sports.