Blue Jays get more bad news on George Springer
By Mark Powell
The Toronto Blue Jays have placed George Springer on the injured list yet again. Toronto hopes he can be healthy before the playoffs.
That is, assuming the Jays can make the playoffs.
Toronto did not give a timeline on Springer’s return, which is an ominous sign moving forward. The Blue Jays have called up Otto Lopez upon placing Springer on the IL.
#BlueJays place OF George Springer on the 10-day IL with a sprained knee. Ankle was getting better, but he felt pain in the knee and MRI revealed the other sprain.
— Mitch Bannon (@MitchBannon) August 17, 2021
Otto Lopez active.
Springer sign a six-year, $150 million deal this offseason, which served as the franchise record at the time. He hasn’t gotten much chance to live up to that contract, slashing 269/.362/.610 with 16 home runs and 35 RBIs.
Toronto Blue Jays: Will George Springer be ready for playoff push?
Without Springer, expect the Blue Jays to start some combination of Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Randal Grichuk, Teoscar Hernandez, Corey Dickerson and Lopez in the outfield. It’s not perfect, but it’s a start, especially considering Gurriel, Grichuk and Hernandez played fairly well together early in the season when Springer was out.
Toronto is essentially out of the AL East race, sitting eight games back of the Rays as of this writing. They’re only four game out of the second Wild Card spot, which would be deemed a successful season should they overtake the rival Red Sox for that slot.
We’ll have more on this story momentarily.