Blue Jays' George Springer Suffered Concussion, Shoulder Injury in Collision
Oct 11, 2022
TORONTO, ON - AUGUST 29: Toronto Blue Jays Designated Hitter George Springer (4) heads to the dugout during the regular season MLB game between the Chicago Cubs and Toronto Blue Jays on August 29, 2022 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, ON. (Photo by Gerry Angus/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Toronto Blue Jays star George Springer suffered a concussion from his collision in Game 2 of the American League Wild Card Series vs. the Seattle Mariners.
General manager Ross Atkins told reporters Springer was diagnosed with a concussion and sprained shoulder.
The four-time All-Star exited the team's Game 2 loss to the Mariners in the eighth inning after colliding with teammate Bo Bichette on a fly ball. Interim manager John Schneider told reporters after the game he was "going to be evaluated for a couple of different things."
It was a disappointing finish to a solid year for Springer and the Blue Jays. Toronto became the third team in MLB history to blow a lead of at least seven runs in a playoff game.
The 33-year-old had another productive year at the plate, rebounding nicely from a 2021 campaign in which he was limited to 78 games. He posted a .267/.342/.472 slash line to go along with 25 home runs and 76 RBI.
The veteran outfielder helped the team finish second in wOBA (.331) and wRC+ (117), per FanGraphs.
Springer has four more years to run on his six-year, $150 million contract with Toronto. He's not going anywhere and neither should the Blue Jays as they look to return to the postseason in 2023.
MLB Twitter Ridicules Blue Jays After Epic Collapse in Elimination Game vs. Mariners
Oct 9, 2022
TORONTO, - OCTOBER 08: Adam Frazier #26 of the Seattle Mariners high-fives teammates in the dugout after scoring in the fifth inning during the Wild Card Series game between the Seattle Mariners and the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Saturday, October 8, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Thomas Skrlj/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
After winning their first playoff game in 21 years on Friday, the Seattle Mariners have secured a spot in the American League Division Series for the first time since 2001 following a 10-9 comeback victory over the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series.
Trailing 8-1 after five innings, the Mariners scored four runs each in the sixth and eighth innings to tie the game at nine. J.P Crawford's game-tying double turned into a scary scene, as Bo Bichette and George Springer collided in the outfield trying to make the catch.
Bichette stayed in the game, but Springer had to be carted off the field. The four-time All-Star tried to pump the Rogers Centre crowd up as he departed.
Adam Frazier delivered the go-ahead hit in the top of the ninth with a two-out double off Jordan Romano that allowed Cal Raleigh, who doubled earlier in the inning, to score.
The Blue Jays entered the postseason looking like one of the biggest threats to the New York Yankees and Houston Astros in the AL. They went 42-27 and averaged 5.06 runs per game after the All-Star break.
After Luis Castillo shut down the Jays in Game 1, Toronto's bats woke up against Robbie Ray. However, it was a bullpen implosion that resulted in its season ending sooner than anyone in Rogers Centre was expecting.
The Mariners scored six runs on eight hits against five Toronto relievers after Kevin Gausman was pulled with two outs in the top of the fifth.
As you would expect, Twitter had some things to say about the Blue Jays becoming just the third team in MLB history to blow a seven-run lead in a playoff game.
Cardinals fans yesterday: That'll go down as the worst home collapse of the #postseason
Biggest collapse in @BlueJays history!! A complete embarrassment to the city!! There should be a complete overhaul of management and players!! Bullpen costs us huge as was predicted at the deadline!!
The Mariners have battled back all season just to earn their spot in the playoffs. They were 29-39 after a 4-0 loss to the Los Angeles Angels on June. 19. Things turned around quickly after that, thanks in large part to a 14-game winning streak from July 2-17.
Raleigh's walk-off homer on Sept. 30 against the Oakland Athletics put the Mariners in the postseason for the first time in 21 years. Friday was their first playoff victory since Oct. 20, 2001.
Saturday's win ensures Seattle will host a playoff game for the first time since Oct. 18, 2001.
Next up for the Mariners will be their AL West rival Houston Astros in the Division Series. Game 1 will be played at Minute Maid Park on Tuesday.
For the Blue Jays, this loss will leave a bitter taste in their mouth after what was a successful regular season. José Berríos, who signed a seven-year, $131 million extension in November, didn't pitch in the Wild Card Series after posting a 5.23 ERA during the season.
The Blue Jays have virtually all of their core players under contract for next season. This figures to be a good team again in 2023, but general manager Ross Atkins has work to do in order to solidify their status as World Series contenders.
Blue Jays' George Springer 'Doing OK' After Injury in Collision vs. Mariners
Oct 8, 2022
TORONTO, ON - JULY 15: George Springer #4 of the Toronto Blue Jays bats against the Kansas City Royals at Rogers Centre on July 15, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder George Springer was carted off the field during Saturday's wild-card game against the Seattle Mariners following a collision with Bo Bichette in shallow centerfield.
After the game, a 10-9 loss that eliminated Toronto from the postseason, interim manager John Schneider told reporters that Springer is "doing OK" and that he is going to be evaluated "for a few things."
With the bases loaded and two outs in the top of the eighth inning, Mariners shortstop J.P Crawford hit a popup to centerfield. Both Springer and Bichette tried to catch the ball but ended up colliding as the ball fell to the ground, resulting in Seattle tying the game 9-9 after once trailing 8-1.
Jackie Bradley Jr. replaced Springer in the outfield.
Springer dealt with a number of injuries during the regular season that limited him to 133 games. However, he was fully healthy entering the postseason.
When healthy, Springer played well during the regular season, slashing .267/.342/.472 with 25 home runs, 76 RBI and 14 stolen bases. He even earned the fourth All-Star Game selection of his career.
Raimel Tapia and Whit Merrifield typically see more playing time in center field when Springer is sidelined. However, Tapia replaced Merrifield earlier in Saturday's game after the latter was hit in the head by a pitch.
That said, none of Springer's replacements are as effective.
The Blue Jays finished second in the American League East with a 92-70 record, 7.0 games behind the first-place New York Yankees. They lost the first game of the wild card round 4-0 on Friday and Saturday's game is win or go home.
The Seattle Mariners' first postseason series in 21 years takes place in Toronto against a Blue Jays team that shares the same aspirations of bringing its...
There is upset potential throughout these first four series in the wild-card round, so let's rank them here.
AL Wild Card 2022: Mariners vs. Blue Jays Hot Takes from MLB Twitter
Oct 5, 2022
TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 30: Toronto Blue Jays Pitcher Alek Manoah (6) pitches during the regular season MLB game between the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays on September 30, 2022 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, ON. (Photo by Gerry Angus/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The American League Wild Card Series between the Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays will showcase some of baseball's top young talent.
The first at-bat of the series Friday will likely feature Blue Jays starter Alek Manoah going up against Julio Rodríguez, the heavy favorite to win the AL Rookie of the Year Award.
Manoah went 16-7 with a 2.24 ERA and 180 strikeouts in 196.2 innings this season, and as Canadian television broadcaster Sid Seixeiro outlined, he has been great for the Blue Jays since entering the majors last May.
Alek Manoah made his MLB debut in May of last year. Since then he’s:
Gone 25-9. Became an All-Star. Had an ERA of 0.88 in September. Shut down an idiot on Twitter. Will start Game One Friday.
The first at-bat of the series should just be a starter for what has the potential to be the most electric of the four wild-card matchups.
Mitch Haniger could be one of the toughest outs for the Toronto pitching staff. He hit home runs in consecutive games to end the regular season and he is playing for a new contract.
Haniger played only 57 games this season, and ESPN's Jeff Passan speculated on his situation on 710 AM in Seattle.
"Six weeks ago, I would have told you he's getting the qualifying offer. Now I wonder," Passan said last week. "Now I wonder if things have changed. … I wish Mitch Haniger had stayed healthy all season because he's a guy who you want around, and you don't want to have to convince yourself that you should keep him around. If the qualifying offer is not there, then I do wonder if Mitch Haniger winds up playing somewhere else next year.”
Seattle is embarking on its first postseason journey since 2001. Toronto is back in the playoffs for the second time in three years.
Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette said he has not been part of a postseason because the 2020 Wild Card Series was played without fans.
Bo Bichette on the atmosphere in Tampa two years ago: “There was none. I wouldn’t say I’ve been part of the post season yet.” #Bluejays
Bichette is one of a few young stars that will be on display for the Blue Jays. The most notable is Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who has produced massive numbers in just over 500 games in the majors.
#BlueJays Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is set to play in his 500th career game. He is 1 of 13 players in #MLB history with 100+ Doubles, 100+ HR, 300+ RBI & 200+ Walks in his first 500 career games.#NextLevelpic.twitter.com/kcoKpnoUd8
MLB.com's Keegan Matheson pronounced that the Blue Jays have more offensive power than the Mariners in a radio segment with TSN 1050.
"The Blue Jays have the offensive advantage here. They lead baseball in batting average; they're second in OPS, only to the Dodgers. ... The Mariners are more middle-of-the-pack offensively," Matheson said.
The fans in Toronto should provide a raucous environment for all three games, if the series gets that far, but the loudest noise could come in Game 2, when former Blue Jays pitcher Robbie Ray takes the mound for the Mariners.
Manoah announced for Game 1.
Have to believe it will be Gausman vs. Ray for Game 2. Juicy.
Ray played for the Blue Jays for part of the 2020 season and in 2021 before he signed with the Mariners. The left-handed pitcher conceded four or more earned runs in three of his last five starts. Gausman allowed five or more earned runs in two of his last five outings. He was the pitcher the Blue Jays signed 11 days after Ray joined the M's.
The winner of the three-game series in Ontario will play the top-seeded Houston Astros in the American League Division Series.
Blue Jays Clinch 2022 MLB Playoff Berth After Orioles Loss to Red Sox
Sep 29, 2022
TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 18: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 celebrates his home run with Bo Bichette #11 of the Toronto Blue Jays in the seventh inning during their MLB game at the Rogers Centre on September 18, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)
The Toronto Blue Jays have clinched a spot in the playoffs Thursday thanks to the Baltimore Orioles' 5-3 loss to the Boston Red Sox.
It will be just the second postseason appearance in the last six seasons for the Blue Jays, with the other coming during the shortened 2020 season. The team was swept out of the first wild-card round that year.
Toronto will again compete in the wild-card round after the New York Yankees clinched the AL East.
The Blue Jays are still a dangerous team, however, as they possess one of the best offenses in baseball.
The lineup ranks first in the majors with a .260 batting average, while power hitters Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Matt Chapman, Bo Bichette and George Springer can change a game with one swing of the bat.
On the mound, Alek Manoah has developed into an ace while earning his first All-Star selection this season. Kevin Gausman and Ross Stripling have also had strong seasons and provide some much-needed postseason experience on this young roster.
All-Star closer Jordan Romano has had some bumps in the road as of late, but the team should still have confidence in the right-hander going into the playoffs.
With talent throughout the lineup and a World Series MVP capable of taking over in Springer, Toronto could be a scary opponent for the AL's top teams.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on Blue Jays Future: 'Would Love to Play Here My Entire Career'
Sep 17, 2022
TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 16 - Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Baltimore Orioles 6-3 at Rogers Centre in Toronto. September 16, 2022. (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
The Toronto Blue Jays have Vladimir Guerrero Jr. under team control for three more years, but the two-time All-Star would like to be with the organization for a lot longer.
Speaking to Gregor Chisholm of the Toronto Star, Guerrero explained he "would love to play here my entire career."
"Since I got to the big leagues, I've always felt that way," Guerrero said through his interpreter, Hector Lebron. "Especially now when you start feeling the love from the fans and the city."
Coming into the year, Guerrero told a fan in his Instagram story that the Blue Jays had not offered him a long-term contract.
There have been a number of long-term deals signed by young players in recent years. Fernando Tatis Jr. signed a 14-year, $340 million extension with the San Diego Padres in February 2021.
Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley (10 years, $212 million) and Seattle Mariners rookie Julio Rodriguez (minimum eight years, $209 million) signed deals last month.
Guerrero is earning $7.9 million this season, his first year of arbitration. The 23-year-old's salary will increase exponentially if he continues to go through the arbitration process.
Based on track record, one could argue Guerrero deserves a more lucrative deal than Riley and Rodriguez. He finished second in American League MVP voting last season after leading the league with 48 homers, 123 runs, 363 total bases, a .401 on-base percentage and .601 slugging percentage.
Guerrero has also proved to be incredibly durable. Since 2020, he has only missed two total games.
The Blue Jays have $128.8 million in guaranteed salary commitments in 2023. The total doesn't include arbitration-eligible players such as Guerrero, Teoscar Hernandez, Cavan Biggio and Bo Bichette.
This roster is going to start getting expensive, but it's hard to argue with the results they have produced on the field. The Blue Jays went 91-71 last season but missed the playoffs. They are currently in the top AL wild-card spot with an 82-63 record.
Former Red Sox CF Jackie Bradley Jr. Reportedly Signs Blue Jays Contract
Aug 9, 2022
BOSTON, MA - JULY 31: Jackie Bradley Jr. #19 of the Boston Red Sox is congratulated by teammates after scoring against the Milwaukee Brewers during the fifth inning at Fenway Park on July 31, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
After being released by the Boston Red Sox last week, veteran outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. has found a new home in the same division.
According to Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet, Bradley is signing with one of Boston's AL East rivals, the Toronto Blue Jays.
Prior to being released Thursday, Bradley was in his second stint in Boston after being acquired along with two minor leaguers last December as part of a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers for Hunter Renfroe. The 32-year-old was a staple in the Red Sox lineup from 2013 to 2020.
Bradley earned an All-Star selection in 2016 and a Gold Glove Award in 2018. That season, he helped lead Boston to a World Series title, earning ALCS MVP honors along the way.
Despite Bradley's stature within the Red Sox organization, his struggles at the plate this season made it hard to keep him on the roster. At the time of his release, he was hitting .210 with three home runs and 29 RBI in 92 games while making $9.5 million on the contract he had signed with Milwaukee.
"He had some stretches at home that were good. Obviously, he struggled toward the end," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. "We weren't able to get him to be consistent hitting the ball the other way. This year, there weren't too many strikeouts. But toward the end, there were a lot of ground balls to the pull side. Offensively, it just didn't work out."
The left-handed hitter joins a Blue Jays team that is second in the AL East with a 60-49 record entering Tuesday. Toronto has an opening in center field with George Springer on the injured list with an inflamed elbow.
Bradley should fill in adequately until Springer returns, and once that happens, he can provide some outfield depth for the Blue Jays as they chase a wild-card spot.
Blue Jays' George Springer Placed on 10-Day IL with Elbow Injury
Aug 6, 2022
TORONTO, ON - JULY 28: George Springer #4 of the Toronto Blue Jays injures his elbow while flying out in the eighth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Rogers Centre on July 28, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
The Toronto Blue Jays announced Saturday that they placed outfielder George Springer on the 10-day injured list retroactive to Aug. 5 because of right elbow inflammation.
The team added that it called up infielder Otto Lopez from Triple-A Buffalo to occupy Springer's spot on the roster.
Springer, 32, has had his elbow issues pop up over the past couple of months. He left in the eighth inning of a June 21 loss to the Chicago White Sox with elbow discomfort.
Blue Jays interim manager John Schneider removed Springer prior to the ninth inning of a July 28 game against the Detroit Tigers. He hurt his elbow during an at-bat the previous inning.
When Springer has been healthy, he's played well with a .251/.331/.464 slash line, 18 homers and 49 RBI in 338 at-bats over 89 games.
Springer was named an All-Star for the fourth time in his career this season and the first time in his two seasons with the Jays.
The loss of Springer will likely lead to more playing time for Raimel Tapia. The 28-year-old is hitting .277/.299/.398 with five homers and 37 RBI in 289 plate appearances. Bradley Zimmer should also see more playing time, likely as a defensive replacement late in games.
After a slow start this season, the Blue Jays have hit their stride. Their 59-47 record is the third-best mark in the American League, behind the New York Yankees and Houston Astros.
Losing Springer takes away a key piece of Toronto's lineup, but this roster has so much offensive talent that it should be able to keep scoring runs in bunches until he returns.
