George Springer

Blue Jays outfielder George Springer left tonight’s game in the third inning with a left ankle sprain, according to the team. The injury occurred on a wall-crashing attempt at a fly ball in the bottom of the second inning. After some delay Springer, encouragingly, was able to remain in the field and take his at-bat in the third inning before being replaced with Raimel Tapia.

That Springer was able to play after the initial injury likely rules out a serious injury for the star center fielder, but further examination by the team will ultimately decide how quickly he can proceed from here. Regardless of how much time Springer is set to miss, it’s no doubt a troubling development for Toronto. The 32-year-old has been electric since signing a six-year $150MM deal in before the 2021 season, putting up a .264/.352/.555 (141 OPS+) line last year and following it up with a similarly robust .283/.344/.531 (159 OPS+) slash line this season.

Unfortunately, Springer’s 2021 season was limited to just 78 games thanks to a myriad of injuries to his quad, knee, and oblique. Toronto wound up missing the playoffs by a single game last year amid trying conditions, and now they’ll look to avoid that same fate this year while encountering some early injury adversity. Since a hot stretch to open the year, the Blue Jays have seen some of the shine come off and currently sit at 17-15, six and a half games out of first in the AL East.

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.

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.