Injured Toronto Blue Jays star George Springer is not in the starting lineup for Tuesday’s Game 4 of the World Series against the host Los Angeles Dodgers due to a right side injury.
Springer was injured while fouling off a pitch in the seventh inning of Monday’s epic 18-inning game won 6-5 by the Dodgers. He immediately exited the game and underwent testing, including a MRI exam.
The Blue Jays released their lineup about two hours before first pitch without Springer’s name in it after holding back to let Springer test his body and take swings.
Three hours before first pitch, manager John Schneider described Springer’s availability as “hour-to-hour.”
“Just see how he kind of navigates the next couple hours,” Schneider said. “… Right now the options are either in the lineup or on the bench.”
Toronto isn’t interested — at this point — in Springer’s removal from the World Series roster. That type of decision would rule him out for the rest of the series.
Springer still could be used as a pinch hitter on Tuesday.
“Swinging will be the key to determining if he’s in there or not,” Schneider said. “He was the first one here.
“A lot of treatment, a lot of work, and George is going to do everything he can to be ready.”
With Springer out, ailing Bo Bichette will serve as the designated hitter and bat in the No. 3 hole. Bichette returned from a sprained left knee ahead of schedule to play in the World Series and has visibly struggled in the field and on the basepaths.
Slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was moved up to No. 2 in the order and Nathan Lukes will bat leadoff in place of Springer.
Springer went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts before exiting Game 3. He is 3-for-11 in the series with two runs.
Springer is batting .246 with four homers and nine RBIs in 14 games this postseason, including a dramatic go-ahead three-run homer against the Seattle Mariners in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series.
He is tied for third all-time with 23 playoff homers. Kyle Schwarber of the Philadelphia Phillies also has 23.
“George has been incredible in his career in the postseason,” Blue Jays infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa said before Game 4. “Probably a postseason Hall of Famer. So for him to go down that hurt, just because we have known the type of moments that he’s capable of, so that definitely hurt. …
“You know, as much as we would love to have George, we trust the next guy up.”
The Dodgers turned in their starting lineup more than three hours before first pitch.
Toronto also announced that right-hander Trey Yesavage will start Game 5 on Wednesday. The 22-year-old gave up two runs and four hits in four innings in Game 1. He struck out five and walked three but did not get the decision in the Blue Jays’ 11-4 victory.
Left-hander Blake Snell is the Dodgers’ Game 5 starter. He gave up five runs and eight hits in five-plus innings and took the loss in Game 1. He struck out four and walked three.
