The Toronto Blue Jays suffered what could have easily been a spirit-crushing loss in Game 3 of the World Series on Monday night, losing on a walk-off home run by the Los Angeles Dodgers‘ Freddie Freeman in the bottom of the 18th inning, to end a game that ground on for 6 hours and 39 minutes. But they suffered what could have been an even worse loss in the seventh inning.
That’s when designated hitter and four-time All-Star George Springer â one of the most “clutch” players in postseason history â was forced to exit the game after swinging at the first pitch of the inning.
Will Springer, who missed Game 4 with the injury, be available to hit in Game 5 on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles? If the Blue Jays knew, they weren’t saying, even two hours before game time. The team had not yet posted its lineup for Game 5 as first pitch drew closer and closer.
Springer May be Available to Pinch Hit
But new information emerged Wednesday indicating that Springer would indeed be available for Game 5, even if only a limited capacity.
According to Sportsnet reporter Arden Zwelling, “George Springer ran on the field and hit velocity off a pitching machine this afternoon at Dodger Stadium. Blue Jays are assessing how his midsection responds to that work before finalizing Game 5 lineup. But if Springer isn’t able to start, good chance he can pinch-hit.”
Another Sportsnet reporter, Ben Nicholson-Smith, added, “If George Springer’s not starting there’s a ‘definite chance’ he could contribute off the bench per manager John Schneider. Springer has made some ‘significant progress.’”
Oblique Injury Feared for Springer
After he swung at the pitch from Dodgers lefty reliever Justin Wrobleski, Springer grabbed at his side. The Blue Jays characterized the injury as “right side discomfort,” but the 36-year-old’s body language raised fears that he had strained or otherwise injured his oblique muscles.
If Springer did, indeed, suffer an oblique injury, he would be done for the remainder of the series. At least, that would be the expectation based on historical precedent and the available medical information. Oblique injuries typically require a recovery time of four to eight weeks.
But if Springer suffered an oblique issue, the Blue Jays are not saying. Springer was held out of Game 4 â a game the Blue Jays won anyway, despite the 18-inning defeat that concluded only about 17 hours before first pitch, and with the Dodgers two-way phenomenon Shohei Ohtani on the mound.
Springer May be ‘Good to Go,’ Says Manager
In Springer’s absence, and propelled by a third-inning two-run home run by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. off of an 85 mph Ohtani sweeper that didn’t do much sweeping, the Blue Jays drove Ohtani from the mound after six innings and four runs, as they cruised to a 6-2 victory.
Asked by Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports and The Athletic whether Springer would play Game 5, or any further game in the World Series â which will continue at least through Game 6 at Rogers Centre in Toronto on Friday â Schneider sounded evasive but optimistic.
âI think so,â Schneider told the veteran reporter in an interview conducted as Game 4 was still underway. âHe was able to swing a little bit this afternoon and is kind of progressively feeling a little bit better as the day goes on. Weâll see how the rest of this game goes. If not today, hopefully tomorrow, he should be good to go.â
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