The Blue Jays are reinstating George Springer from the 10-day injured list, general manager Ross Atkins told reporters (including Scott Mitchell of TSN and Shi Davidi of Sportsnet). Fellow outfielder Josh Palacios is being optioned to Triple-A Buffalo to open an active roster spot.
Springer will work as a designated hitter for the time being, according to Atkins, as he continues to progress from the sprained left knee that has kept him out of action. While it’ll hurt not to have Springer patrolling center field in the near-term, getting anything at all this quickly is something of a blessing. The Jays didn’t release any sort of timetable on Springer’s return in the immediate aftermath of his injury, leading to fears it could be an extended absence. Instead, Springer returns to the lineup after fifteen days away.
That was Springer’s third separate IL stint during his first season in Toronto, as nagging quad issues kept him from playing regularly until late June. When healthy, Springer has been incredible. Through 211 plate appearances, the 31-year-old is hitting .269/.362/.610 and has already launched sixteen home runs. On a rate basis, that’s among the best performances of Springer’s career, as his 157 wRC+ matches his single-season high during his time with the Astros (which came in 2019).
Even without any defensive value, Springer performing at that level at the plate would be a huge boon for the Jays. At 68-61, Toronto has fallen to the periphery of the playoff picture, as they enter play tonight five and half games back of the Red Sox for the final postseason spot (with the A’s and Mariners also ahead of them). They’ll need a stellar run of play over the season’s final five weeks to get to the playoffs, but Springer’s return to the lineup increases their odds of pulling that off.
No chance at the playoffs as i see it, but the offense will be much more exciting with the addition of Springer.
They don’t have the time to mess around anymore … playoffs is extremely unlikely, but anything is possible. They definitely have to sweep the Orioles, and even the A’s. Pull off 6 straight wins imo.. and then they face the Yankees. This 9 game stretch will either give them life, or be the nail in the coffin. Sweeping the Orioles is a must to start it all off.
Jays are 6/6.5 out of a wild Card spot, have 7 games with the Yankees and the Rays play both Boston and NY.
It is bleak, but there’s something to hang on there. Can’t keep losing these games against weak teams tho.
4.5 out now. The Jays need to win a good number of games, but it’s not impossible that either the Yankees or Red Sox sputter into a losing streak (my bet is on the Red Sox doing the sputtering). Jays only need to catch one of them, not both. Plus the A’s, but that’s only a 2.5 game gap.
I think 90-92 wins will get it done. Usually does.
Yea it’s near impossible sweeping the o’s and taking at least 5 of the 7 NYY games is a must to have a real chance
16 games left with Baltimore n the Twins. Need those wins. It’s not impossible.
Still a cheater