TORONTO (AP) — George Springer of the Toronto Blue Jays made a timely return to the lineup just two days after sustaining a knee injury from a fastball. In Game 6 of the American League Championship Series against the Seattle Mariners on Sunday night, Springer demonstrated resilience by engaging in a nine-pitch at-bat that ended in a foul out during the first inning. He also contributed to the team's effort by walking in a two-run inning during the second.
Toronto was facing the challenge of overcoming a 3-2 deficit in the best-of-seven series. The stakes were high as the team sought to keep its championship aspirations alive against a formidable Seattle squad.
On Friday, during Game 5, Springer was struck on the right kneecap by a pitch thrown by Seattle pitcher Bryan Woo, measured at 95.6 mph. This injury occurred in the seventh inning of Toronto’s 6-2 defeat. Following this incident, medical evaluations including X-rays and a CT scan ruled out any fractures, offering a glimmer of hope for the Blue Jays. Manager John Schneider mentioned that Springer was able to test the mobility of his knee during a workout on Saturday, which suggested he was on track to return to play.
In a conversation with Springer, Schneider relayed, “I talked to him last night, texted him this morning and he was like, ‘Stop asking, I’m good,’” highlighting Springer's confidence and eagerness to play despite the recent injury.
Springer, now 36, is recognized as a four-time All-Star and was the Most Valuable Player in the 2017 World Series with the Houston Astros. Before the game on Sunday, he boasted a postseason batting average of .256, which included three home runs and five doubles. His career playoff performance has been noteworthy, with a total of 22 home runs placing him in a tie with Bernie Williams for the fourth-most in MLB history.
Moreover, Springer has amassed an impressive 42 extra-base hits throughout his 76 postseason games played, ranking fifth all-time and just 15 behind Derek Jeter’s record. He was also approaching a personal milestone, having recorded at least one extra-base hit in six consecutive postseason games, just one shy of the record held by Devon White from the 1993 Blue Jays.
Against the Mariners this season, Springer entered Sunday’s game with a batting record of 14 hits in 49 at-bats, which spanned 11 regular-season and postseason games. This included six doubles, three home runs, and eight runs batted in (RBIs), showcasing his offensive capability against Seattle’s pitching staff.
As the series continues, the Blue Jays look to Springer’s experience and skill to guide them through this critical phase of the playoffs. His return not only bolsters Toronto’s lineup but also serves as a motivating factor for the entire team as they aim to clinch a victory in this tightly contested series.
