George

Springer

In what is likely to be his final game with the Blue Jays — and what could be the final game of his MLB career — Springer returns to the leadoff spot where he spent the majority of his career and enjoyed tremendous success with the Astros and the Jays. With Vladimir Guerrero Jr. sitting on Sunday, the entire focus of the game will be on Springer and Max Scherzer in what could be each’s final contest.

There weren’t many bright spots for the Blue Jays as they squandered an early three-run lead to fall three games behind the White Sox for the final AL Wild Card playoff spot. Springer helped Toronto build their early advantage by delivering an RBI single into the left-center field gap against Orioles starter Shane Baz in the first inning.

The 37-year-old slugger gets a breather after starting every other game this week for the Jays. He’ll likely be used off the bench in a key late game situation if one arises on Sunday afternoon. Sean Keys will serve as the team’s designated hitter in his absence and will bat fifth against Rangers’ right-hander Jacob deGrom.

Springer put the Jays ahead with the a solo blast off Trevor Rogers in the fifth inning before breaking the game open with a bases-clearing double in the eighth. After struggling to begin the month, he’s now posted three straight two-hit games. His health warrants monitoring, but he should be started with confidence in fantasy leagues in the coming week when he’s in the lineup.

Springer came up lame on his grounder that ended the sixth, but the left leg issue didn’t force him out of the game. It’s unclear if the leg problem was new or if it’s related to what kept him out of the lineup for three games earlier this week. As things stand now, it seems like he could be day-to-day for the rest of the season.

Springer was DHing, so he’s still in the game for now. However, we’d be pleasantly surprised if he’s allowed to hit again today. Springer beat out an infield single on the play that ended the sixth, but Andrés Giménez was thrown out after rounding third base and Springer then gingerly exited the field and went to the clubhouse. Springer was in the lineup for a second straight day today after sitting out Tuesday and Wednesday. The Jays haven’t been forthcoming on what exactly is bothering the veteran, but it looked like a left leg issue today.

He’d missed three of the last four games. Springer had been pretty hot before sitting over this span for undisclosed reasons so he can be fired up in daily transaction leagues against RHP Chris Bassitt.

Technically, he’s sitting against a lefty today, which is extremely unusual. But it’s just an opener in Brady Basso before the A’s go to a righty. The Jays aren’t saying anything about an injury for Springer, though he did have a shoulder issue last month. He quieted down some last week, but he’s hitting .355/.394/.565 in his past 18 games. The Jays have Jesús Sánchez DHing today, but he’s batting eighth in an effort to keep him away from Basso.

It’s the second time in four days that Springer has been held out of action, so it’s possible that he’s battling some sort of minor injury. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will function as the team’s designated hitter while Sean Keys starts at first base and will bat sixth against Royals’ right-hander Randy Dobnak on Sunday afternoon in Kansas City.

This would appear to just be a routine rest day for the 36-year-old with a day game after a night game. Sean Keys will be the designated hitter and bat fifth on Thursday.