George Springer is back in the outfield for the first time in a long time.
The 36-year-old is set to start in left field for the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday against the Chicago White Sox. It's his first appearance in the outfield this season, and his first time not playing as the designated hitter.
Springer has played 66 games this year (64 starts), all from the DH spot, holding a .218/.303/.374 slashline in that span for nine homers and 22 RBI. Last year, he made 82 appearances at DH, while also splitting time between right field (44 games), left field (12) and centre field (11). Manager John Schneider has primarily relied on the duo of Davis Schneider and Jonathan Clase in the LF spot for most of the 2026 season.
"It's not going to be every day. I think that (Springer's) at the point where he's comfortable DHing, and he's not that young, so we don't want to run him out there and kill him," said Schneider pre-game. "But I think to use our whole roster a little bit differently, put him out there a couple times every couple weeks and rotate the DH spot through some other guys."
Meanwhile, backup catcher Brandon Valenzuela will slot in at DH for Springer on Friday, with the rookie having slashed .241/.322/.407 through 57 games this season. He's recorded seven homers and 20 RBI in that span.
"I think after the all-star break, I want to get (Springer) out there a little bit and use that spot accordingly," said Schneider. "It could have went either way today.
"Not saying it's going to be one of the catchers every single day for sure, but I think after the break and well rested and all that kind of stuff, today was a good day for it."
As for the Blue Jays, Friday's tilt marks the team's first game back after the all-star break, as they aim to make a push out of last place in the AL East. It'll be the first of a three-game weekend series, all in Toronto.
Spencer Miles is set to take the mound for the first pitch at 7:15 p.m. ET / 4:15 p.m. PT, against a surprisingly stout White Sox team that enters Friday tied for first place in the AL Central.
— With files from Canadian Press
