When George Springer returns from his Grade 1 sprain in his left knee he will do so while taking a regular turn as the designated hitter, manager Charlie Montoyo announced Saturday.
Springer was injured when he ran into the outfield wall chasing a ball in Seattle and hasn’t played since Aug. 14. He is eligible to be active at any time but is currently considered “day-to-day.”
Montoyo’s comments Saturday support the team’s decision to claim speedy outfielder Jarrod Dyson off waivers from the Kansas City Royals to give the team more depth at that position without needing to frequently use Springer on defence. The 37-year-old Dyson is expected to be available for the Blue Jays this weekend in Detroit but neither he nor Springer were in the starting lineup Saturday.
Springer, who missed time at the beginning of the season with oblique and quad issues, was one of the hottest players in the American League before his injury — a stretch that included being named American League player of the week two weeks in a row. For the season the 31-year-old is hitting .269/.362/.610 with 16 home runs and 35 RBIs in 49 games.
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