LOS ANGELES — George Springer is out of the Toronto Blue Jays’ Game 4 lineup after suffering an injury in Monday’s marathon loss. The 36-year-old lead-off man left Monday’s 18-inning contest in the seventh inning with side tightness. He was “hour to hour,” manager John Schneider said, ahead of Tuesday’s game.
Ultimately, Springer’s absence is another delayed blow after Monday’s loss.
It is unclear if Springer will be available off the bench for the Jays on Tuesday. He is unlikely to be taken off the roster, Schneider said, but the Jays could still make a roster move with the league’s approval. Nathan Lukes will lead off in Springer’s place, with Bo Bichette moving to designated hitter and Isiah Kiner-Falefa playing second base.
Springer left Game 3 against the Dodgers in the seventh inning, grabbing at his right side after a swing. He exited the contest without protest. He underwent an MRI, but Schneider declined to reveal exactly what it showed. He has played through many ailments this postseason, including wrist and knee injuries.
When asked ahead of Game 3 how surprised people will be when they find out Springer’s full slate of injuries, Schneider paused for a moment.
“Scale of one to 10? Seven,” he said.
But Springer’s latest ailment clearly presented a hurdle too significant to play through, at least on Tuesday. Replacing his offence will be nearly impossible for Toronto.
Springer hit .309 this season, led the team with 32 homers and should receive some down-ballot MVP votes. He continued his history of playoff heroics this fall, driving in nine runs on four homers in 14 games, including a decisive three-run homer in Game 7 of the ALCS. There is no bench player capable of supplying that alone.
The Jays are now forced to find runs against the Dodgers’ vaunted rotation without a top bat. If they want to claw back in this World Series, others must step up.
With Springer on the bench, Bichette will continue to see regular at-bats at designated hitter. In Games 1 and 3, he played second base, though he was removed early for defensive replacement and pinch-runners. With Bichette at DH, he should play later into contests. Kiner-Falefa and Davis Schneider could see more time in the starting lineup, as well.
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