LOS ANGELES – The good vibes surrounding George Springer’s World Series return to Dodger Stadium – the venue that played host to his career-defining performance during the 2017 Fall Classic – painfully came to an abrupt end.
Springer reached for his right side and was in clear discomfort shortly after fouling off the first pitch he saw from Dodgers reliever Justin Wrobleski to lead off the seventh of Game 3 on Monday night, a contest that turned into an 18-inning, 6-5 loss for the Blue Jays. Quickly calling for time from home-plate umpire Mark Wegner, the Blue Jays’ designated hitter summoned Toronto’s training staff from the dugout and was replaced mid at-bat by Ty France after a short conversation before immediately heading down the stairs into the clubhouse.
The initial fear was an oblique injury, given the area Springer was grabbing. After the game, manager John Schneider announced that Springer went for an MRI after being diagnosed with right side discomfort.
“We’ll see how [the MRI] comes back and see how he wakes up [Tuesday],” Schneider said. “It sucks. He’s obviously a huge part of our lineup. Glad I got him out when I did. Hopefully, it didn’t make anything worse.”
This was the latest instance of Springer getting dinged up this postseason. He took a fastball directly off his right kneecap during Game 5 of the American League Championship Series, which also caused him to exit early, then was hit by a pitch on the hand by Yoshinobu Yamamoto during Game 2 of the World Series on Saturday night. Springer did not have to miss any games after those previous injuries.
“I feel like he’s being held together with duct tape,” Schneider said before Game 3. “[His knee] kind of comes and goes, but that’s fine. It was actually a little bit more sore the day of Game 1 for whatever reason as opposed to those off-days. I think he’s fine.”
An oblique injury, however, could be a whole different animal in terms of severity, with any type of strain emerging from the MRI likely keeping Springer out for the rest of the World Series.
Should Springer have to miss time, the DH spot could open up for Bo Bichette, who returned from a left knee injury for the World Series after missing more than a month but is clearly playing at less than 100% and has shifted to second base in an effort to avoid the wear and tear of playing shortstop. Any impact on the outfield would likely see Myles Straw getting more time against left-handed pitching and Joey Loperfido, seldom used as of late, against right-handers.
The Blue Jays could also add a pitcher to their roster if Springer needs to be removed, which could be useful after they used their entire bullpen over 18 innings Monday night. Entering the World Series, the Blue Jays chose to carry 14 hitters and 12 pitchers, knowing that Bichette might not be a full-time player.
Of course, losing Springer for any time would be a devastating blow and make winning the whole thing a whole lot more challenging. He is the heart and soul of this Blue Jays lineup and an established postseason performer who has proven able to shine in the biggest of moments.
This October has been no different, as Springer entered Monday with four home runs and a .932 OPS through the Blue Jays’ first 13 postseason games, highlighted by his dramatic go-ahead three-run blast in Game 7 of the ALCS. They sure could have used his clutch bat on Monday night, which saw the Blue Jays muster just one hit – a Vladimir Guerrero Jr. single – after the 12th inning.
“George has been battling with a lot this year,” Straw said. “It’s not easy for him right now, but we appreciate him giving us all he’s got with what he’s got right now. Hopefully, he’s going to be all right.”