Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer he is not in the lineup for Game 4 on Tuesday night, but the team appears unlikely to be left out of its World Series roster after he left Game 3 with a side injury on Monday. Removing Springer from the lineup would rule him out for the rest of the series. It couldn't be added back later.
“The MRI showed he's working 24/7, day in and day out, so just see how he does the next couple of hours,” manager John Schneider said Tuesday before Game 4 (via Sportsnet). “…Now the options are either in the lineup or on the bench.”
Instead, Bichette comes in at DH and left fielder Nathan Lux leads off.
Springer was injured during Monday Marathon Game 3which the Blue Jays ultimately lost Dodgers 6-5 in 18 innings. In the seventh inning, Springer immediately grabbed his right side in obvious discomfort after being fouled out of bounds. Soon after, he left the game, accompanied by his coach, and was replaced Tai France:
The injury was initially reported as right side discomfort, and Schneider said after the game that Springer had already left to undergo an MRI. The team did not share the MRI results. They seem hopeful that Springer will be able to play again at some point, even if not until Game 6 or 7 later this week.
“He plays in those moments,” Schneider said Tuesday. “I think I told you guys yesterday that whenever this season ends, you guys will be surprised to see how much he has sharpened physically. So yeah, if he’s ready to play in any way, shape or form, I want George on the team.”
Losing Springer, Toronto's best forward and one of the team's most productive players in 2025, would be a major concern. During the regular season, the 36-year-old Springer reversed the trend of decline and had one of his best seasons:
His OPS+ of 161 led the team and also ranked third among American League qualifiers. Springer is also one of the most productive hitters in the postseason. Major League Baseball history as he ranks third all-time on the playoff home run list. During the Jays' current run, he's batting .246/.323/.561 with four home runs and six doubles in 14 games.
Outfielder Joey Loperfido would be the obvious replacement if Springer is out of the lineup. The 26-year-old left-handed hitter Loperfido is a career .248/.297/.392 hitter with eight home runs in 122 games spread over parts of two games. Major League Baseball seasons. He was named to the lineup for the Blue Jays' ALCS win over Seattle Mariners as a replacement for injury Anthony Santander. Loperfido lost no fights in this series.
