The Blue Jays have placed outfielder George Springer on the 10-day injured list due to right elbow inflammation, with the placement retroactive to August 5. Utilityman Otto Lopez has been activated from the taxi squad to take Springer’s place on the active roster.
Springer has been dealing with a sore elbow for much of the season, with the injury apparently worsening over the last six weeks. The Jays have frequently rested Springer or used him as a DH, but since he has played in only two of Toronto’s last seven games, it seems as though a full IL stint was necessary to allow Springer to fully heal. Over his last 29 games and 130 plate appearances, Springer had a modest .226/.310/.409, so his bad elbow clearly seemed to be impacting his production.
A healthy Springer is critical to the Blue Jays’ chances of reaching the postseason and making a deep run into October, so the outfielder and the team can only hope that this IL trip will finally correct the elbow issue. Springer’s injury surely influenced the Jays’ decision to acquire Whit Merrifield at the trade deadline, and Merrifield now looks to get the bulk of center field time while Springer is out, with Raimel Tapia and backup Bradley Zimmer providing further depth.
Lopez could also be in the mix, as center field is one of four positions (along with left field, second base, and shortstop) he has played this season at Triple-A Buffalo. Lopez has also hit .267/.357/.424 over 246 PA with the Bisons. MLB Pipeline ranks Lopez as the fourth-best prospect in the Jays farm system, impressed by his plus speed and contact-hitting, even if Lopez seems to be lacking in power. The 23-year-old has appeared in exactly one MLB game in each of the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
Beautiful piece of glass. Its good when its together though.
Never sign free agents for more than a year. Never should have signed a RF who has never even come close to playing a full year in CF, to CF money.
If I see Bradley Zimmer start a game I’m going to lose my mind.
At least Zimmer can play defense that’s more than Jansen does behind the plate and he starts all the time..
Why because he dropped one ball last night?
Wow. Some people
He’s more skilled at baseball than any skill you have in your entire life.
Including playing the skin flute
WoW dude you just jumped head first into the personal insults.
No it was not based on last nights dropped ball OR poor throw/error to first base but rather his last couple of seasons of poor play His defense draws negative marks in almost every stat.
He also does not get his pitchers as deep into games. as the other catchers when catching the same pitchers. He usually gets 5ish innings, 6 if they are playing a bad team. That’s a direct relation to his poor game calling.
You realize the jays pitchers all prefer Jansen to Kirk behind the plate right?
God you hate to see this. I love Springer, but this guy just can’t stay healthy. Hopefully he’s healthy again for October, but at this point I don’t know when and if he’ll be a dependable option again. Really sucks because when he’s healthy, he’s amazing, but his body is really breaking down, and it gets worse by the year.
Another impact player with an impact contract, who hasn’t made the expected impact
He was an early signee during this rebuild. His very presence has made an impact, and his contact is 6 years/$150MM. He’s not hurting Toronto.
Yea but hes not really helping either
Let’s compare two players over the last two years.
Player A: 684 PAs 12%BB 23%K .228 ISO 4.9 bWAR
Player B: 728 PAs 10%BB 21%K .250 ISO 5.0 bWAR
Can you guess which is Ronald Acuna and which is George Springer?
“hes not really helping”
You can’t be serious.
Being genuine is A Springer
All these wannabe Jay fans on here complaining were the same ones cheering when they signed Springer
Who would want to be a Blue Jays fan? They are in the wrong country.
U have to pay for upper tier players. Injuries to be expected with ‘older’ players. Heard hell need an offseason to heal in order to be 100%. Dont have much faith this IL will do anythint how sat 6days @ all star break.
Yes his contract is big but its no albatross/restrictive. Have enjoyed his hustle, leadership and production and worse case he doesn’t heal i like Merryfield.
The first sentence is factually wrong, teams don’t have to do anything. The rays have never once paid more than market value and yet they’re a model franchise. Fans think signing free agents in baseball is how you win, when in fact that’s one of the biggest reasons teams ultimately have to blow up the roster and tank.
I heard he’s got some killer dance moves though.
Love his all-out style of play and attitude, but it’s costing him playing time. Hopefully he’s right for October (assuming they make it).
even more reason now for them to get jackie bradley jr.
Never speak again…
JBJ taking Zimmer’s roster spot would clearly be an upgrade. Just don’t want him in the lineup too often.