George Springer, designated hitter for the Toronto Blue Jays, will not be included in the lineup for Game 4 against the Dodgers due to a side injury he sustained during Game 3. However, the team is not expected to remove him from the World Series roster, which would rule him out for the remainder of the series. Manager John Schneider indicated that Springer’s condition is being monitored closely, describing him as “hour-to-hour, day-to-day.”
Springer left the marathon Game 3, which concluded with a 6-5 loss to the Dodgers after 18 innings, in the seventh inning after experiencing pain following a foul ball. He was promptly taken for an MRI, though the results have not yet been disclosed. The organization appears hopeful that Springer may return to play later in the series, possibly by Games 6 or 7 later this week.
In Springer’s absence, Bo Bichette has stepped in as the designated hitter, while Nathan Lukes will lead off as left fielder. The prospect of losing Springer, who has been a key player for Toronto this season, would be a significant blow. This year marked a notable resurgence in his performance, characterized by a .309 batting average, 32 home runs, and 106 runs scored during the regular season. His phenomenal OPS+ of 161 was a team high and positioned him among the top hitters in the American League.
Notably, Springer also enjoys a distinguished postseason reputation, ranking third all-time for home runs in playoff history. His contribution this postseason includes a .246 batting average, four home runs, and six doubles through 14 games. Should Springer need to be replaced on the roster, outfielder Joey Loperfido stands as the prime candidate. Loperfido, a left-handed hitter, has played in 122 games over two MLB seasons and has previously been part of the roster during the ALCS.
As the Blue Jays navigate this crucial moment in the World Series, the team remains optimistic about Springer’s return, embodying hope for their fans as they contend for a championship.