Aug. 18: Springer has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 sprain in his left knee, the Blue Jays announced. While it’s encouraging that he’s dealing with a low-grade sprain, it’s still not clear when the Jays expect him to be able to return to the field.
Aug. 17: The Blue Jays are placing outfielder George Springer on the 10-day injured list with a sprained left knee, manager Charlie Montoyo announced to reporters (Twitter link via TSN’s Scott Mitchell). Springer recently complained of discomfort in his knee, and an MRI revealed the current issue. There’s no timetable being provided for his return at the moment. Toronto is calling up infield/outfield prospect Otto Lopez to replace Springer on the active roster.
It’s a major blow to the Blue Jays, particularly given the lack of timeline on Springer’s return. The 31-year-old slugger inked a franchise-record six-year, $150MM contract with the Jays over the winter and has spent considerable time on the IL this season owing to a prior quadriceps strain. He’s looked every bit like the high-end slugger the Jays hoped to be acquiring when he’s been healthy enough to take the field, however; in 49 games and 211 plate appearances, Springer has posted a .269/.362/.610 batting line with 16 home runs, 12 doubles, a triple and a pair of steals.
Springer’s return to the injured list likely means the Jays will go with a combination of Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Randal Grichuk, Teoscar Hernandez, Corey Dickerson and Lopez between the outfield and designated hitter slots in the lineup. The trio of Gurriel, Grichuk and Hernandez was quite productive early in the 2021 campaign while Springer mended that quad injury, but Grichuk’s bat has wilted considerably over the past couple months. Still, he’s the only real center field option on the roster at present, although the Jays could select the recently acquired Mallex Smith to the MLB roster as an alternative.
Lopez, 22, ranks as the Blue Jays’ No. 23 prospect over at FanGraphs and has enjoyed a strong season split between Double-A and Triple-A. In 359 plate appearances, mostly coming in Double-A, he’s slashed .324/.398/.451 with three home runs, 25 doubles, three triples and a dozen stolen bases (in 15 tries).
Springer’s new injury comes at a time when the Jays are nine games over the .500 mark but nevertheless eight games behind the division-leading Rays in the American League East. They’re a more manageable four games out of the hunt for the second AL Wild Card spot. The loss of Springer, even for a short time, puts a serious dent in their hopes of overcoming that deficit. Eleven of Toronto’s next 15 games come against clubs with sub-.500 records, but Springer’s absence will surely be quite palpable.
Not ideal.
Not a CF has never been a CF. They paid him for way too many years as a CF and now they have a expensive RF in a era where those guys are widely available each year in free agency. Yes when he’s playing well he should out perform most guys that are available on free agency. This is why they should have avoided the land mines. Land mines are free agents who want more than a year. Problem is jays spend too much money. Need to be more like the rays. How many bad contracts do the rays ever have? And the rays have how many more wins than the jays since 2008? Yeah exactly start acting like the Rays.
never give a FA more than one year! You’re funny
Never giving (most) free agents more than one (or two) years is probably a very good idea. It only seems funny because it goes against the popular grain, but it’s a good idea. One way to avoid the massive overpays teams always seem to get stuck in.
I think fans are so scarred by the bad deals that they forget how many free agent deals actually work out. JDM is a recent 9 figure deal that worked out well for the team. For the most part, a commitment of five years or less is going to work out pretty well for a team.
That said, these ridiculous deals offering 6-10 years for a player already pushing 30 always end up horribly for the franchise
VERY easy to be upset now and who knows how the springer contract turns out but actively promoting the “rays” strategy is most definitely not the way we should want teams to operate
Why not? The “Rays” strategy is successful. How does overpaying players make the game more exciting?
How many WS have the rays won?
Have you personally done a study on WS victories and spending strategy vs consistently winning without WS victories and spending? Are they good enough to win a division but not good enough to win the WS? What is this absurd theory you are postulating? The Rays are a successful team. That’s indisputable. How many WS victories do teams with huge contracts have because of those contracts? Have you thought about this for more than two seconds?
@Jerem they made the deal simply because of mounting pressure from their fan base to make A deal. They didn’t need George Springer they needed pitching. That team will hit with or without him but more pitching would put them over the top. They literally outbid themselves for the guy. Six years for an average fielding outfielder at best who loves that IL was a huge reach and a move made by a front office that caved to it’s fans. Now that the fans got him they realize what a waste of $150 million he’ll be. By the way they could have had just as good of a bat in Nelson Cruz for much much less of a commitment and wouldn’t be dealing with constant IL trips. Guaranteed multi year contracts absolutely ruin sports especially this one. Guys get paid then have no issue milking injuries and sitting on the IL for weeks or even months with strains and bruises under the guise that the team doesn’t want to risk their investment. For the amount of money these guys are being paid they need to toughen the hell up, that’s a fact.
That’s unquestionably not a fact. “Toughening up” would put them at risk for further Unecessary injury. And the point is that the “rays model” works mostly because it’s mostly only the rays partaking in it. (and they’re very good at talent evaluation) If everyone committed to that the game would unquestionably be worse. Please stop making excuses for the billionaire owners who are already suppressing salaries as it is. Talent pays and Springer is unquestionably a talented player. The guy was putting up 4 war seasons on 600k salaries But when he gets paid it’s such an issue. This is the risk you take and ontop of that it’s not like he’s hasn’t been raking when he’s on the field. For every “bad contract” there are thousands of minor leaguers getting paid garbage money for a chance to make what springer is making. Everyone engage in the rays model and why would many of these minor leaguers even feel the need to play. I get what you’re saying but I’m afraid it only works in theory.
Cosmo, you’ve got the rays and the beane athletics that use the type of model you promote.
Neither has won a championship. So that makes the odds zero percent. No advance study required.
Teams like the dodgers and giants use a blended system but still spend big with mammoth contracts when called for. It works for them, but not without all that money.
The only other systems are spend big all the time, which works – cite to heaps of Yankees championships and some red sox ones – or the tank for 5,6,7 years straight and build a co trolled core through that process… which isn’t the rays model.
Fact is, the rays type model has never worked.
Also fact, without the big contracts they had, cite to guys like Clayton Kershaw Kershaw Mookie Betts they never would’ve won last year.
You need the money to have the elite performers that push you from one of many very good teams into an elite winner.
How does it make it less exciting? You think dodgers fans are rioting because they’re “overpaying” players? Where is the line drawn if most teams engages in the rays strategy? Is that money “savings” really better in the owners pockets than in the players we watch everyday ? The rays strategy really only works because they’re realllyyy good at talent acquisition and deployment. Not every team can do that. And if you’re advocating for every team to engage in salary “suppression” it’s very likely that there will be many more issues than you’re considering
Why is all this junk clogging up comments in a George Springer injury article? We all already know players get injured far more AFTER they sign their big deal as opposed to their 2nd year of arb. Take your babble somewhere else.
I came to the comments to find out more about Otto Lopez
Why? They consistently win.
Oh, I see because you think every team should spend like the Giants and Dodgers. K…cool. Convince MLB owners to go to that level of socialism, until then, fk off.
The Rays do a fantastic job with what they have and are absolutely a model for other teams, hence their FO personnel getting jobs elsewhere.
You must admit there IS a correlation between winning it all vs being solid. The top teams financially are always in the hunt.
Suppressing salaries? Are you serious? Normal people can’t afford to go now from escalating salaries and your calling them suppressed?
There was no pitching. I repeat. There was no pitching. They got Robbie Ray. Would you have preferred they had gone out and got the freak show that is Trevor Bauer. This is a 5 year deal. Let’s evaluate it a little further along.
Exactly! I’m intrigued by the year he has had. Next year’s starting second baseman? Perhaps.
Otto Lopez is one of the most underrated prospects in the game. Won MDW league batting title in 2019. Skipped high A after lost 2020 and raked again in AA and AAA at .324. Good speed not a lot of power yet (but with plus hit tool might come). Defensive versatility, my comp would be twins Luis Arraez.
Normal people can’t afford to go where? To games? I’m confused are you saying it’s the players salaries fault for escalating ticket prices?
1984wasntamanual
The Rays do a fantastic job with what they have and are absolutely a model for other teams
===================================
The entire concept is a non-starter. To say that the TB/Oakland model is inferior to the LAD model, implies that the LAD model is an option for TB, with a fraction of revenue. It’s like telling a kid that a Testarosa holds its value better than a Camaro. It could be true, but unless the kid has $240,000 in spending cash, it makes no difference.
Further, trying to say the LAD model is better because they have won they’ve won 1 WS in the past 37 years, and TB has won -0-, makes no sense. In the last 37 years, Florida/Miami has won more WS than the Dodgers. Over the past 20 years, KC has won more WSCs than the NYY and has been to the WS more often.
Might want to think about signing up for a remedial econ class this fall
Maybe Gurriel will get back in the lineup more now instead of losing a AB’s to Dickerson.
Isn’t this his third stint this year?
Maybe 2.5 since the first one was a false start.
There goes the playoff hopes most likely…unless Vladdy and Bo go beast mode, gonna be really tough.
Only good news is we’ll get a look at Otto Lopez, he’s a somewhat interesting prospect, has potential to be a decent player. Really hope they don’t rush Springer too much though, need him healthy next year when playoffs expand, and they have much better chance to make it.
You’re so miserable. What possible satisfaction could you possibly get by saying there goes the playoffs at this point
Bruh I don’t get any satisfaction from it, just stating how I feel. They’re 4 back of Oakland, and also have the Yanks ahead of them. It would be tough to make up 4 games in a single month with Springer, but without him it’s even harder. I’ll still be rooting for em and watching the games, but I’ve tempered my expectations a little. For a team to be considered a “contending team” can’t be more than 2 games back IMO. The idea that the A’s and Yankees are gonna lose a bunch of games just isn’t realistic.
There are 7 teams in the AL with any sort of decent chance of making the playoffs. Guess which 2 have the toughest schedules remaining. The A’s by alot and the Yankees. Guess who has the easiest.
They play the yanks 7 more times and not for a while.
They also play the O’s 10 more times.
They aren’t making it easy on themselves but it’s far from Over
“Playoffs will expand”, don’t count your chickens before they hatch, the owners will have to give into a lot of demands before the players would go for it.
You may be raising the white flag on the Jay’s season but I guarantee they are not. I have felt – ever since spring – both AL Wild Cards come out of the East.
No reason to change that now.
& the Blue Jays are absolutely still in this thing.
Absolutely. All one has to do is look at the Jays’ run differential this year and be able to see that they’ve had some bad luck.
My man.
We’re giving the Jay’s guys a pep talk!
Also: like what I see from Gil.
The Blue Jays have the best starting pitching in the league. Losing Springer means less blowout wins, but Springer wasn’t the key to close games that make the difference. They need to manufacture a couple runs on the days the opposing pitcher won’t give up home runs, and they need the bullpen to solidify.
Best pitcher in the league, HA!! They dont have best in Div or AL and definitely not throughout league. They have stats that measure such things
Go look up which team in the AL has the best SP staff since the All-Star game.
Wonder if Kevin Smith finally will get his chance this year.
Hopefully Wall gets a shot eventually
Not great but they play the next 11/15 against weak teams. If the can split things with the White and beat the teams they should beat, they should be right there for a September fight to the finish with GS.
Just hoping it’s a minimum stint so he doesn’t lose his timing
White Sox **
With 7 against the Yankees and 6 against the rays they can write their own destiny. They just need to get their ducks in a row before that, and, have a couple weeks to do so.
Maybe springer will be back by then for at least some, if not most, of those games.
Such are the risks with signing a player like Springer to such a large deal. He’s 31, plays a demanding position and he only has one speed: “maximum”. The Blue Jay’s playoff hopes are still there but they are fading for sure. They’ll probably have to play at least .700 baseball from here on out to take of the wild cards.
That would put them at 95 wins. You really think it’s going to take 95 wins to get the second wild card?
Possibly.
Right now bottom wild card is sitting at 69wins.
It’s not out of the question for that team to win 25 more is it?
That would mean the Red Sox go 25-16 down the stretch. With their schedule I would suggest that is going to be tough
Schedule isn’t as bad as it seems. Also, the Yankees had tied the red Sox. Less wins by one but, also played fewer games. As aren’t much ahead either.
Boston ends with 3 WAS, has 6 BAL, 6 CLE, 3 MIN, 3 TEX in their remaining. So they might have a shot, less so if they keep playing shaw, and we’re hurt greatly by bumbing bloom at the deadline… maybe mortally so. We’ll see.
But the Yankees and As hitting 94 wins? Maybe easier than BOS. But pretty decent shot 2 of the three will meet or pass 94.
Jays are done put line through them
Jonathan Davis isn’t with the Jays anymore
Yup saw him in the yanks game today!
Just being considered by the Mets is enough to derail your entire season
Again? What did he do? Sneeze too hard?
They’ll still score runs without Jerry Springer. They have to prevent runs. That’s the Jimmy Key
Tough loss. Pitching is going to have to step up for them to win. Offence rarely brings championships anyways. It might get them to the playoffs but pitching and defense wins over the long haul.
Bang banged up.
4GB of a wild card. They would have needed a huge run of victories to have any chance. Just playing it out now. Plus they don’t have the pitching at the backend. And a manager thats cost them some games with questionable decisons.
Disagree.
They play too many against the Yankees and rays to be out of it.
Also have a healthy dose of teams that are really out of it like 10, yes ten, against the Os and 6 against the twins.
That means 30 games that are either fluff or against the leaders.
I will agree that Charlie has made some questionable decisions however he hasn’t had a plethora of great options in the bullpen either. Is Dolis still on the team…?
Oh take the money and run!, take the money and run!, just take the money and run!
I love Springer, such a dynamic player. But boy is he made of glass !
Last week here against the halos he provided a perfect villain moment. After striking out in the first, he stepped to bat a second time and the boos were really loud. As the count got deeper a chant of “you’re a cheater” grew. Then ultimately, he smacked a Dylan Bundy “fastball” out of the yard, pointing to the sky as he rounded second and watched it leave. The crowd only became more incensed.
Yeah, he’s a cheater. But this is entertainment and a good heel is entertaining.
16HRs in 48 games. That’s some good power production. Too bad the healthy didn’t accompany it.
Springer is awesome when healthy, but the Astros are looking pretty smart right now for not paying up. 6yrs $150 mil for a soon to be 32 yr old who has always had problems staying healthy.
Springer is awesome in the presence of loud noises.
Once a cheater always a cheater
Guess it’s not just snitches that need stitches.
Stanton 2.0. Health is the mudding piece to George’s game.
Jays are out of it. Blue Jay fans are way too optimistic. Jays are stuck with Springer contract and Grichuk at 10 million per year for two more years. Time to be realistic and use George as a CF and DH to get some value out of this contract.. With Springer I give them a 20 per cent chance of a wild card , without George 10 per cent. If you say Vegas thinks they have a better chance you are correct but Vegas odds are heads we win, tails you lose. By this I mean you get a poor return if you bet the Jays to make it, and also a poor return if you bet the Jays not to make it.
I am not a big Grichuk fan but that contract isn’t that horrible. He is a 1.1 War player this year and 1 war is equivalent to about 8 million dollar so the contract is right on par for decent value. With how he has produced this year the Jays could unload him in the offseason without issue.
How many WS titles has TB won? Keep living in the past. Our future is bright.
The real question should be,”how many hundreds of millions have the Sux paid in payroll and come up empty handed?”
The Rays have been around for 24 seasons. Let’s check back in another 24 years. B is for bandwagon!
GO RAYS!!!
Well, since the devil rays were founded to now the Red Sox won 4 WS titles. The Yankees won 4 WS titles. The devil rays won 0. The rays won 0.
I can see why you’re salty when 33% of the world series played since your team was founded have gone to either the red Sox or Yankees, and the rays are empty handed no matter what name they choose to go by….
You are focusing too much on TB. There are other teams that use the same model. Over the past 20 years, KC & AZ have won more WSCs than the NYY and LAD combined, and spent about $4B less doing so.
Very short-sighted take. Speaking of dried up salt, how many decades did the drought last in boston?
I wish Springer a speedy recovery, so the Jays can bury the Sux!
I saw this headline and thought to myself that he actually did sign with the Mets.
Sprains are a nightmare. Be good to see this guy stay on the field – ballplayer.
150Million He has one job to do stay in shape and healthy and he can’t do it.Typical big money baseball guy it is unreal how fragile these guys are.Maybe if the players had to give back some of the money when they miss so much time I bet you they would stay in shape then.
I picture a 300lbs guy on a couch with dorito breath and meatball stains on his T-shirt, drinking a Diet Coke when people say stuff like this
… true – always “Diet Coke.”
Dude is glass!
Glad he didnt take my offer!
Wait for the year
They thumped a trashcan three times and he was able to lift his knee, he’ll be okay.
Glass