The Blue Jays announced that George Springer has been activated from the seven-day injured list for concussion-related injuries. Outfielder Joey Loperfido was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo in the corresponding move.
Springer last played on July 28, when a wayward pitch from the Orioles’ Kade Strowd caught the Toronto slugger on the earflap of his helmet. Springer was removed from the game and was officially placed on the concussion IL a few days later, to give him some extended time to recover. A clean slate of tests earlier this week paved the way for Springer to start a Triple-A rehab assignment, and he’ll now join the Jays lineup after two games in Buffalo.
After posting underwhelming numbers in both 2023 and 2024, it seemed as though Springer was hitting a decline phase as he entered his age-35 season. Instead, he has bounced back with one of the best seasons of his 12-year career, hitting .291/.383/.506 with 18 home runs over 408 plate appearances. Only eight qualified hitters in baseball (including teammate Vladimir Guerrero Jr.) have a better wRC+ than Springer’s 148 figure.
One element to this turn-around may be Springer’s increased usage as a designated hitter, as he has already set a new career high for DH days by appearing 52 times at the position, as opposed to 45 appearances as an outfielder. It is perhaps noteworthy that Springer didn’t see any action in the outfield during his two rehab games, and it could hint that the Blue Jays will continue to lean towards using the veteran primarily as a DH down the stretch in order to keep him fresh. In any case, having Springer back in any capacity is naturally a big help to a Toronto club trying to secure its first division title since 2015.
Loperfido was the odd man out of the roster mix with Springer back, likely just because Loperfido has minor league options remaining. Performance-wise, Loperfido was very impressive since being called up in July, delivering a .358/.409/.506 slash line over 89 plate appearances. It seems likely that Loperfido will be back up at least by September 1 when the rosters expand, if another injury doesn’t earn him a quicker ticket back to the Jays’ active roster.
Sucks for Looerfido but he will be back in a few weeks. Tough to pick when everyone on the roster is performing well. Loperfido has a 900+ OPS since coming up!
89 plate appearances, 3hr, 10rbi, .358 avg, .915 ops. A good problem to have 🙁
Should have sent France packing
Ty France? He of the 142 OPS+ since coming to the Jays?
The right handed production bat off the bench that can pinch hit for lefties late in game that they’ve needed?
The backup first basemen they’d been looking for who can sub in for Vladdy at first and provide quality defense in the process, instead of using utility guys who can’t play first?
Pretty sure they’re very happy to keep him right where he is.
Shame for Loperfido but he’ll be back.
France is as slow as kirk wow big sample size the guy hasn’t hit since 22 and has NO power he sucks
Who cares about his speed? He’s not there to steal bases.
The Jays don’t need him to hit this way for the next ten years. They need him to be hot right now, which he is. And he has shown good contactability and doubles power with the Jays, which fits in perfectly with the Jays current offensive style of stringing hits together.
I am happy for Toronto, as y’all are vehemently arguing about the baseball equivalent of First World problems…
France has a better OPS that Loperfido since joining the Jays. Anyone going down is a tough choice since all are performing.
France should have DFA. Doesn’t add much
Even when he gets on base he gets thrown out bc he’s as slow as kirk. At least Kirk is valuable bc he plays a premium position.
A stat so insignificant you had to say it twice ?
He plays a premium position very well and is hitting close to .300 while walking almost as much as he is striking out, underrated player overall.
Platoon game
@keysox
France’s super power isn’t his bat or what he does on the bases. It’s his ability to play 1B. Given the disastrous results of the Clement and Wagner performances at first, he provides a capable glove there. That means Vlad can have a day off or DH without having to worry about bad defence.
He’s also on a hot streak, that’s just a bonus.
According to Dan Schulman the coaching staff noticed something with his batting stance, specifically his hands. Since he’s made the adjustment he’s been a doubles machine.
Why on earth would we do that? Lopes and Schneider and even Lukes will likely be sent down as they have options and will need more consistent playing time heading into the playoffs. France is a decent player and he helps Vladdy stay rested.
Whyme, France has played in a total of 12 games since he was acquired and has a line of .333, .400, .472 for an OPS of .872, so really not bad production. 12 games played 12 hits, 6 runs scored!!!
Another head scratcher. Keep the better hitting, better fielding, better runner and dump Schneider who is weak at all three.
Schneider has improved as a hitter this year (129 OPS+) and he’s right handed. Loperfido is a lefty, like most of the outfielders. They need Schneider as a right handed option against lefty pitching.
Lukes should have been the one to go. He is a 4th outfielder that is being asked to be an everyday player and all though he has shown some good play at times the bottom line is he is a 30 year old bench player with no more ceiling (he is what he is) and he is not much of a power threat. So if you need an everyday player that is a potential power threat then Loperfido is a much better option. Loperfido is a younger better version of Lukes with a higher ceiling and a power threat.
Before someone tries to use the experience argument Loperfido has 324 at bats to Lukes 372 so not an argument.
As for long term the Blue Jays have a bunch of LH outfielders and drafted a bunch more (college players) this year so losing Lukes is not a long term loss.
All the more reason to give him more consistent playing time…
Loperfido yes Lukes no.
Also Loperfido is nowhere close to Lukes defensively.
I disagree because what you see is what you get with Lukes He is not that good of an outfielder (depending on which sites stats) he grades between average to below average and Loperfido is higher than Lukes on some and worse on others but basically the same. Baseball prospectus has Lukes at -5.1 DRP while Loperfido is +0.3
The major deference is Lukes is 31 now and Loperfido is 26.Lukes has no more ceiling to grow and Loperfido is just starting.
Lukes has played plenty of CF so the DRP isn’t a fair comp. Anyone that watches Jays games knows Lukes is better defensively. Ultimately he’s a decent 4th OF.
By sending down Loperfido and likely Schneider down the road. You are giving them more consistent playing time leading up to the roster expansion.
Again your argument for him being young and with more potential directly conflicts with the notion he’ll develop better as a bench/platoon option rather than being sent down and likely starting.
How does that work? Loperfido is a younger better version of Lukes who you admit is a 4th outfielder. So sending down Loperfido, to get more at bats you say, while keeping Lukes to play RF/LF everyday makes more sense then letting a younger version, with more potential, play everyday because he has to go to the minors to get more at bats? What? That makes no sense.
Lukes or Loperfido are going to play almost everyday in the majors so by your logic you want the older, less potential version instead of the younger more potential and a power threat version? How does that make any sense?
As for the DRP I did say they are CURRENTLY about the same defensively BUT Loperfido has room to grow where as Lukes is what he is………..so both CURRENTLY are somewhere between average and slightly below average.defensively.
Yes, the logic is he will get more at bats. What’s the confusion? He’s going to be back up for the playoffs anyways. They will do the same with Schneider in a few weeks.
Lukes isn’t an everyday player. He’s in a platoon with Schneider. Only 36 of his 313 PAs have been against lefties.
Over the last 28 days, Schneider has a .907 OPS. Loperfido’s is .860. Both very good. Either way a player was going to get demoted who didn’t deserve it.
Joey has done a great job … was hitting .380ish , now .358 … natural regression in baseball. No no one hits 380 or 360 , already regressing , smart jays FO figured next two weeks of Major League regression was optioned , saves them his likely upcoming o fers
1 for 9 last five games.
Toronto is peaking too early
I believe the wins do count in August.
@YankeesBleacherCreature
Yep. The rule was added after the Battle of Hastings.
Sorry, it’s really hot here.
Springer back beiber varsho recently. Not sure it is a peak?
Loperfido got the short end, but no RH bat was getting sent down or dropped. He did not deserve it but should be up by early September. Kudos to the Buffalo staff for turning around Loperfido, Schneider and preparing Barger.
Cheater.