Blue Jays' Springer pleased with progress after live batting practice

George Springer talked about the chemistry he's building with his new Blue Jays teammates and what he's enjoying about watching them play so far.

TORONTO – George Springer came away from a live batting practice session pleased with the progress of his strained left oblique and cautiously optimistic about when he’ll be ready to rejoin the Toronto Blue Jays.

"I'm going to push to play. I want to play. I don't like to not play. I want to play as fast as I can," the star centre-fielder said Tuesday, after taking the equivalent of 14 plate appearances against teammates Joel Payamps, A.J. Cole and Travis Bergen. "But it's still early in the year and I don't want to do anything stupid that could unnecessarily knock me out any longer. So I trust the medical staff here, I trust what they have to say."

Springer is eligible for activation Thursday, when the Blue Jays are slated to host the Los Angeles Angels in their home opener at TD Ballpark in Dunedin, Fla. He took 17 swings in all, collecting four hits and three walks with two strikeouts during a session he called "a big, big step for me, both physically and in my own mind."

A key test will be how he recovers Wednesday and whether his body is ready to withstand the rigours of baseball’s everyday grind.

"I just want to feel like myself," he said. "Everybody understands what their body feels like, and when you feel normal, I guess, or feel like yourself and again. I'd say it was a great, great step and I'm happy about it."

Springer was diagnosed with a Grade 2 oblique strain in the waning days of spring training and was a possibility for opening day right up until March 31, when the club settled on the injured list.

His return will alter the top of the lineup, which has had Marcus Semien batting leadoff followed by Cavan Biggio, and create a playing-time crunch for the club’s other outfielders and first baseman/DH Rowdy Tellez.

Manager Charlie Montoyo has stressed that lineup decisions will be based on who’s performing, matchups and working in rest for regulars, something on the agenda anyway with the Blue Jays in the midst of 16 games on consecutive days.

Randal Grichuk, with hits in each of the first four games ahead of Tuesday’s contest, has an early lead on the performance front. Tellez, on the other hand, has started off slow at 0-for-11 with a hit by pitch in 12 plate appearances.

When submitting content, please abide by our  submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.
We use cookies to improve your experience. Learn More or change your cookie preferences. By continuing to use this site, you agree to the use of cookies.
close