TORONTO — George Springer hasn’t put in five years with the Blue Jays, chasing another World Series, for his best shot to end like this.
The last time we saw Springer during Friday night’s 6-2 loss to the Mariners in Game 5 of the ALCS, he was hobbling off the field after taking a 96 mph Bryan Woo fastball off his right knee. Not the side of the knee or on the muscle, but squarely off his kneecap.
The good news is that all tests have come back negative on Springer’s knee. Surely, that knee is a different color right now, but this is going to be a matter of swelling and mobility for Springer ahead of Game 6 Sunday. Frankly, even the 8:03 p.m. ET start is good news for him and the Blue Jays. Every hour could help at this point.
“He’s getting treatment, he’s going to be doing some stuff here in a little bit, probably moving around,” manager John Schneider said near 5:30 p.m. ET Saturday. “But feeling a lot better than he did yesterday.”
As long as Springer can walk to the plate and get down the line, he’ll be fighting to be in the lineup.
“Just tell me he’s good to go, and he’s good to go,” Schneider said. “George has played through a lot, probably more than you guys know this year, but over the course of his career, too. So just make sure that it’s not bothering him swinging and not bothering him running. But he’s a tough dude, so I’m hopeful and optimistic that he’ll be good to go.”
Springer is a necessary piece of the Blue Jays, crucial to their identity in what’s been a dream season. Coming into the year, it felt like Springer had completely run out of steam. Now, he’s got a good shot at landing in the top 10 of American League MVP voting.
The 36-year-old hit a career-high .309 this season with 32 home runs and a .959 OPS, one of the biggest turnarounds in baseball. He’s looked completely reenergized all season, leading the Blue Jays with his tone-setting play on the field, which is why his injury in Game 5 was such a gut punch. Springer wants to play, though, and given that he’s transitioned to being Toronto’s primary DH this season, all he’ll need to prove is that he can handle the burst from home to first.
Like Schneider says, Springer is one of the toughest players on the roster, still holding up well after years of playing with his all-out style in the outfield. He’s one of the most impressive athletes on this roster, but there’s no way around a 96 mph fastball to the kneecap.
Already down Bo Bichette, the Blue Jays can’t afford to go without Springer in a must-win game, their biggest in a decade as they try to stay alive and force a Game 7 at home. Lineups will be released mid-afternoon Sunday, and Schneider is hoping he gets to write Springer’s name into the leadoff spot at least one more time.
