9:43PM: In more positive news on Springer’s condition, Montoyo told The Toronto Star’s Gregor Chisholm and other reporters that the outfielder has improved enough that the team hasn’t needed to do further tests on the ankle.
TODAY, 2:08AM: X-rays were negative on Springer’s leg, as manager Charlie Montoyo told reporters (including Sportsnet’s Arden Zwelling) that Springer is day-to-day with a mild left ankle sprain.
AUGUST 14: Blue Jays center fielder George Springer left tonight’s game with an apparent injury to his lower left leg. Springer made an awkward landing while attempting to catch a Ty France triple to the wall in the seventh inning, and Springer immediately grabbed at his ankle area after hitting the ground. He was able to walk off the field under his own power, albeit gingerly.
It certainly looks like another trip to the injured list is coming for Springer, who has already missed a big chunk of his first Blue Jays season. Springer has played in only 49 games due to an oblique strain and a pair of quad strains, and it isn’t surprising that Springer’s eventual return resulted in a big uptick in the Jays’ performance.
When Springer has played, he has lived up to the expectations created by his six-year, $150MM free agent deal. Springer has hit .269/.362/.610 with 16 home runs over 211 plate appearances, good for a 158 wRC+. Over a full season, this would represent a new career best for Springer, who had a 157 wRC+ in 556 PA and 122 games with the Astros in 2019.
This type of production can’t really be replaced, and losing Springer for any amount of time will represent a major blow to Toronto’s playoff chances. The Jays do at least have some outfield depth, as without Springer, the new alignment would likely be Teoscar Hernandez in right field, Randal Grichuk in center field, and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Corey Dickerson sharing time in left field and probably also DH duty. Cavan Biggio and rookie Josh Palacios can also factor into the outfield mix when they return from the injured list.
Tulo 2.0
Tulo would hurt himself opening the fridge. Springer ran into a wall. He just needs to be smarter.
@baines, so one of George’s injuries actually happened while actually playing for the Jays?
I get your point, but this is a poor take. They are nothing similar. Tulo was made of glass and always had mysteriously injuries. Remember when he cracked a bone after a collision with Kevin “iron chin” Pillar? Springer on the other hand, plays hard, and gives it all for his team. His issue is that he can sometimes be reckless, although that’s part of what makes him a special player.
IL is IL. Doesn’t matter how you got there.
Wrong
It matters if you are trying to compare players
They paid a corner OF CF money. Quick what’s the most games Springer has ever played at CF in one season. The guy isn’t a CF and never has been.
One year he played 162. There rest are glass years.
Jerry he’s never played more than 89 games in CF in one season. Again he’s not a CF and he’s being paid CF money.
He’s a very good CF. RF just makes sense in order to keep him healthy
Someone want to give me the stats that RF keeps players healthier than CF
Looks like it. The only difference is Tulo’s numbers fell off the boards. So Far, Springer is doing well whenever he can stay healthy enough to play in a game.
Was thinking the same exact thing. He certainly is the next Tulo. If not yet already, in due time.
lol all you guys running to the comment section to mark him as tulo 2.0 because of a minor rolled ankle is a bit much
Dusty, It’s not just the ankle. Look at his history. The number of missed games every year (but one) make him appear to be another Tulo. I am sure he expects to be fully paid, so fans expect to see him in the line up on a more regular basis. Injuries happen, I get that. Springer just gets hurt several times and quite often for different reasons annually.
Been there, done that when Mark McGwire was playing. He had several lean years. Made me not want to buy a ticket, because I knew I’d only see Mr. Backup at first base. Yes, it was that bad and that disappointing. That’s what Springer has been doing for the past several years. Good luck Toronto fans.
Springer isn’t the guy and never needs to be the guy on the jays for this contract to be deemed successful.
His last full season game totals are 162, 140, 140, 122. each of those seasons he’s had lengthy playoff runs as well. So really don’t see an issue, even healthy players play around 140 games per year now.
Provided he’s productive when healthy, which there is no indication that will be a problem, there is really no concern.
I was rather relieved the Astros didn’t resign him
No. Not the same. George is still an elite talent that signed to be in Toronto. Tulo was at the end and was taken hostage to go to Toronto.
I do agree with posters though. Maybe George should be playing RF more. Load management.
Let’s not be too hasty to just throw him on the IL, Mark. They have 2 off days next week and have plenty of OF depth
Absolutely heartbreaking. He’s such a huge player for this team, and has been carrying the offence since the deadline. This game really feels like the end of our playoff hopes.
Get well George, jays nation loves you.
P.S. M’s fans who cheered that are the lowest of scum.
oh great, wishing injury now because of the certain events. classy and righteous for sure…
Honestly, I’m so sick and tired of people whining about the astros. Get over it. If your team cheated and won a title, I guarantee you wouldn’t be angry. What’s even crazier is that so many teams did the same thing (do some searches on what Erik Kratz said about the Rockies for instance) and nobody cares about that. Everybody is just mad at Houston because the media tells them to be. People are gonna start calling me an “astros apologist” or whatever, but I really don’t care. I’ve had enough of this complaining. The Astros won in 2017, deal with it!
*deep breaths*
^ Someone turn this into a copypasta pls
Its true the Astros won in 2017, but I am so glad they choked away games 6 and 7 in 2019 World Series with Gerrit Cole hiding in bullpen in Game 7 before changing into Boras Corp clothing for post game presser. What an unlikeable group of players.
Okay, Astros Apologist. both of you can have your 1* and 2 WS rings respectively. Talk a bit more serious once both of you at least combine for 27… Mr. *Deep Breaths*.
Toss a king can beer at a game and celebrate it while at it.
A Red Sox fan talking about cheating lmao- Hypocrite.
Red Sox fans boo Marwin? How convenient? Why not boo Cora? And why didnt you boo steroid cheat Ortiz? Can’t boo Ortiz, he smiles a lot and likes Boston. Why don’t Red Sox fans learn how to pronounce words before lecturing fans of other teams?
Yankee fans need to sit this one out. All of your championships since the 90s are tainted with PED players.
The boo him because he’s terrible. They aren’t booing Cora and definitely didn’t boo Ortiz.
Another pointless comment
Mariner fans cheered their guy getting a triple and cheered for Springer when he got to his feet and walked off. They did not cheer an injured opponent. Perspective is a good thing, I take it you’re a Jays fan and upset about your guy going down
Get well Springer from Mariner Nation.
I’m aware most Mariners fans cheered him getting up, didn’t mean to insinuate the majority were acting bad. Unfortunately, I ran into a clip on Twitter of a few chanting “cheater!” as he was being helped off.
Didn’t mean to attack Mariner nation, you guys are great. Had the pleasure of visiting the park in 2018, loved it. Every fan base (including mine) has bad apples.
Well that’s why we stop selling beers after the 7th…. Sorry you had to see that it’s definitely bad apples.
It must be so hard being called a cheater weh weh weh. I’m sure it kills him when he looks at his bank account. Do you know what fans in the 90s and earlier would do to that guy, they’d be chucking batteries at his head followed by their beers so if he or his obviously pillowy soft fans can’t handle some heckling then boo freaking hoo. Toughen up hey.
Holy crap.
Heckling when a guy is injured is a dirtbag move, only fellow dirtbags would defend it
No one cheered for the injury. They applauded when he got up.
Mets fans talk about dodging a headache with Bauer but passing on Springer was a wise move too.
How’s that lindor contract looking? Really dodged a bullet there…
To be fair Lindor has a long time to prove whether or not that contract isn’t a disaster. The concern with Springer should be how his body holds up that he’s in his 30’s. Toronto should probably seriously consider taking him out of Center Field and putting him in the corner OF
Baerga, Alomar, Lindor.
The Mets are the graveyard for Cleveland 2b.
Lindor is a shortstop. Still plenty of time for him to produce.
He’s performing at an elite level while healthy.
Dodging any 5,6 7 year contracts are wise moves.
BMI = 27.6
And so it goes.
Any one else see the field of dreams entrance through corn field. Really well done but all i could think about when they showed judge’s closeup was he could hurt himself.
another alert for Jays management. Move George to corner outfield and the sooner the better. same message for the Angels and Mike Trout. Center fielders should be someone like Kiermaier of the Rays and you can find them for a couple of million a year.
How does this make any sense
center field is tough on the body. you have to run on every fly ball even if they are caught by the corner guys. More diving catches… I was at a marathon that ended at Tiger stadium. we entered through center field gate. Until you are there 400 feet away you can not imagine how much space there is to cover..
I think you will struggle to find concrete proof of any of that
I never cared about the Astros scandal. Gave it zero weight.
MLB is a traveling carnival, no different than the circus or that ride-and-midway state fair kind of outfit. The $ difference is the only significant distinction.
For Your Entertainment Only. These aren’t roving scientists inventing the MRI coming to town for 3 days, then packing up and on to the next. Knowing that is very freeing. Root as hard as you want for your favorite ride. Then go back to your life.
What
The good news is TOR has OF depth to cover his absence. The bad news is they’re not hitting.
Who’s not hitting?
Pretty much only Grichuk is cold.
Out of boredom and curiosity I decided to have a look at the AL and how the race is shaping up for the Divisions and Wild Cards.
Realistically there are now 7 teams with any decent shot at the Post Season.
Rays/Astros/Sox/A’s/Yankees/Jays/Mariners.
I looked at all their respective games remaining and the strength of schedule counting games against other teams at or near .500 and those below. Then I subtracting the ” easy” games from the “tougher” games to arrive at each teams difficulty number.
The higher the number the more difficult the schedule.
Example: The Yankees have 27 Games against .500 teams and 16 against weaker teams for a score of 11 .
From hardest to easiest
A’s >32-9 = 23
Yankees > 27-16 =11
Mariners> 24-16 =8
Astros > 25-17 =8
Red Sox > 21-18=3
Rays > 21-20= 1
Jays> 20-22=-2
The A’s have the hardest schedule and the Jays the easiest.
Ok some thoughts.
West
1- The A’s have a brutal schedule and are likely to miss the playoffs unless they can beat up on equal strength opponents.
2- Mariners can catch the A’s but likely miss out on the Wild Card.
3- Unless they fall off a cliff the Astros should easily take the west.
East.
1- Rays has a fairly even schedule remaining so unless they go on an extended losing streak or Boston goes on a extended winning streak the Rays should win the East.
2- The Jays has a much much easier schedule then the Yanks the rest of august. 4 games against .500 teams vs 12 for the Yankees. So unless the Jays Bullpen goes back to sucking big time, the Jays should make up the 2 games and pass the Yankees by Sept 1st.
3- Sox/Jays/Yankees should all be within a couple games of each other entering September. The Jays and Yankees will each have 3 games in hand over Boston . Looks like the 2 Wild card spots will come down to a 3 way battle between Sox/Yankees and Jays.
The 7 head to head Games in Sept between the Yankees and Jays will be crucial for all 3 teams. If the Jays go 4-3 in those games they will likely make the post season.
Good post, nice research !
It’s impressive how quickly RSox fell… let’s hope the jays capitalize on it and take a WC spot
I guess this is what the jays get when management doesn’t consult jimmertee before making decisions like signing literally anyone.