Vlad should return Friday

A nagging injury that has dogged Vladimir Guerrero for over a decade cost him a game Thursday, but isn't expected to keep him out of the lineup much longer.

Guerrero irritated the index finger on his left hand during an at-bat in the fifth inning Wednesday night against the Kansas City Royals when he grounded out to second base. He stayed in the game, though, grounding out in the seventh inning. He was removed for the ninth inning.

He was not in the starting lineup Wednesday, but figures to be ready to play today. Gary Matthews Jr. was in right and Juan Rivera was the designated hitter, just his second start this season.

Guerrero first injured the finger in 1996 when he was hit by a pitch at the Class-A level. He said that irritation typically starts every season at around 100 at-bats, but came a little early this year. Guerrero had 65 at-bats heading into Wednesday's game.

“Once it starts to swell up it doesn't go down (all season),” Guerrero said through broadcaster Jose Mota, who was serving as interpreter. “It's something I've lived with my whole career.”

The offense has been in a much better flow than in previous seasons, but it still didn't make it easier for Guerrero to miss a start.

“You don't want these things to happen and I don't think about what our offensive situation is,” Guerrero said. “I want to play. But when these things happen, the best thing to do is to bring in (somebody else). Hopefully it will be just one day.”