The Toronto Blue Jays will have to pick up another win in the World Series without George Springer.
The 36-year-old was not in the starting lineup Wednesday for Game 5 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers missing his second game after suffering an injury to his right side in Game 3.
Bo Bichette will once again take Springer’s spot as designated hitter and will remain third in the batting order. Davis Schneider will also hit in the leadoff position as Toronto looks to bring a series lead back to Toronto in Game 5 (Sportsnet, 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT).
Speaking to reporters before the game, Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Springer would be able to pinch hit if he wasn’t in the starting lineup.
"I think if he's not staring, I think there's a definite chance, if he can pinch hit, I think he'll be ready to do that," said Schneider to media before Game 5.
Springer left in the seventh inning of Toronto's 6-5, 18-inning loss in Game 3 on Monday. After an awkward swing in the seventh inning, he immediately reached for his right side and called for the Blue Jays training staff.
Schneider later classified the injury as right-side discomfort.
"George is feeling better," said Schneider. "He's hitting the cage today, you guys probably saw him running outside. He hit off the machine, velocity, and we're kind of just seeing how he responds from that.
"I think (he's) better than he expected to feel, better than we expected him to feel, which is saying a lot."
After a down year in 2024, Springer enjoyed a resurgent season, leading the Blue Jays with 32 home runs and ranking third in MLB with a .959 OPS. He has hit for a .884 OPS in October and added four long balls, including a decisive blast in Game 7 of the ALCS.
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