The Toronto Blue Jays will be starting a full lineup of projected Major League players when they host the New York Yankees in Grapefruit League action Tuesday afternoon.
The lineup will also feature the spring debuts of centre-fielder George Springer, second baseman Cavan Biggio and left-handed starter Yusei Kikuchi.
You can watch the game on Sportsnet and SN NOW, beginning at 1:07 p.m. ET / 10:07 a.m. PT.
Springer has been notably been absent from the Blue Jays' first four spring games, leaving some to wonder whether he is dealing with an injury. The 32-year-old missed considerable time early last season an oblique issue that initially appeared during spring training, but manager Charlie Montoyo said Sunday that the star outfielder is healthy.
“Yeah, no, no, I swear the guy is fine. He's 100 per cent,” Montoyo said. “He knows what he's doing. We're going to communicate with the players and see how they feel. But he's been getting a lot of at-bats in live BPs and stuff."
Biggio, on the other hand, has been dealing with a left elbow strain he picked up during the off-season. The versatile defender is coming off a disappointing season limited by injury that saw him appear in just 79 games and hit .224/.322/.356 with seven home runs and 27 RBIs. As one of just a handful of left-handed batters in the Blue Jays lineup, he is expected to split time at second base with Santiago Espinal this season.
Kikuchi was the Blue Jays' first significant addition made after the lockout was lifted, when he agreed to a three-year, $36-million contract. The 30-year-old was an All-Star with the Mariners in 2021 but struggled in the second half, finishing the season with a 4.41 ERA and 164 strikeouts in 29 starts.
Other notable Blue Jays in the starting lineup Tuesday include Bo Bichette at shortstop, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at first base and newly acquired third baseman Matt Chapman.
