George Springer’s progress brings joy to the Blue Jays, bear hugs included

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All eyes were on the batter’s box for what seemed like Monday’s most important plate appearance.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 23/08/2021 (1522 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

All eyes were on the batter’s box for what seemed like Monday’s most important plate appearance.

It was still hours before the first pitch of a four-game series between the hometown Blue Jays and the Chicago White Sox. Centre-fielder George Springer, on the 10-day injured list since last Tuesday with a knee injury, was at the plate. Reliever Joakim Soria, who has pitched just one inning for the Jays because of a finger injury, was on the mound. Danny Jansen, down with a hamstring strain since late July, was his battery mate.

Coaches, trainers, media, security, opponents. It felt like everyone in the Rogers Centre was watching Springer.

Marcio Jose Sanchez - AP file photo
Jays centre-fielder George Springer, recovering from a knee injury, is eligible to return to the lineup Wednesday.
Marcio Jose Sanchez - AP file photo Jays centre-fielder George Springer, recovering from a knee injury, is eligible to return to the lineup Wednesday.

“We’ve done OK without him before, but we do really good with him in the lineup; that’s a fact,” Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said. “The sooner he can get to our lineup, it’ll be great … so everybody’s watching. Everybody’s hoping he gets healthy.”

Springer, now listed as day-to-day, had won AL player of the week honours back-to-back before crashing into the outfield wall to make a catch against the Seattle Mariners. In that two-week span, he batted .379 with a 1.310 OPS, six home runs and 18 RBIs. Despite missing most of the first 2 1/2 months of the season with injuries, he has a .979 OPS, 14 homers and 32 RBIs.

It’s plain to see why the Jays are keen to get him back on the field, but that isn’t the only draw.

“He’s great. Not only great in what he does on the field, but what he does in the clubhouse,” Montoyo said. “He’s always smiling, man. He likes to have fun and he’s a pretty good player.”

The prospect of another long absence was chilling to the team and its fan base, but his rehab seems to be ahead of schedule after Montoyo’s initial comments, expressing hope that he might return before season’s end. Springer appeared to have no trouble giving bear hugs to members of the coaching staff after batting practice.

Soria is also considered day-to-day, while Jansen will likely require a rehab assignment before he officially rejoins the squad.

After a disappointing 5-9 stretch heading into their series against the White Sox, leaders in the American League Central, Montoyo hopes the Jays can get back to having fun on the field, with or without bear hugs.

“As you can see, this is a fun team,” the manager said, “but it’s tough to have fun when things go bad.”

Springer is eligible to come off the injured list Wednesday, but Montoyo wouldn’t speculate about whether he will. The outfielder was scheduled to hit more off machines following batting practice and could need time to recover.

Still, said Montoyo: “It’s a good sign.”

Laura Armstrong is a Star sports reporter based in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @lauraarmy

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