Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer left Game 5 of the American League Championship Series due to a right knee injury.
Springer was hit by a 95-m.p.h. pitch thrown by reliever Bryan Woo in the seventh inning of Friday's game at T-Mobile Park. Toronto led 2-1 at the time.
After Friday's 6-2 loss, Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that Springer's X-rays were negative and gave some hope that he might be back in the lineup for Game 6 on Sunday.
"He'll have to really, really be hurting to not be in the lineup on Sunday," Schneider said.
The Blue Jays manager then took it upon himself to call out some of the Mariners' fans for their reaction to Springer's injury.
“I think the fans that were booing him should take a look in the mirror and understand what kind of player he is… and I’ll stop there,” a clearly frustrated Schneider said.
"It's b******t," Blue Jays third baseman Ernie Clement added. "I don't know how you boo somebody who's down on the ground, hurt. I don't understand that. I've had a lot of respect for all the Mariners, especially the ones I've kind of talked to throughout the series. I think they've been awesome.
"But that's a tough moment. That's pretty classless."
Springer was replaced in the lineup by Joey Loperfido, who was added to the 26-man roster on Thursday after outfielder Anthony Santander was ruled out with a back injury.
Springer was hit in the side of the knee and immediately crumpled to the ground in the batter's box. A team trainer, joined by manager John Schneider, came out of the dugout for assistance.
The 36-year-old Springer got to his feet and tested the leg by slowly walking to first base before deciding to leave the game.
Springer, who drove in Toronto's first run of the game in the fifth inning, is hitting .256 in the post-season with three homers and six RBIs. He hit .309 in the regular season with 32 homers and 84 RBIs.
— with files from Sportsnet Staff
