Decision on Springer’s status for opener to go to the wire
Outfielder sidelined with an oblique injury
The stage was always set for a grand Blue Jays debut for George Springer — Yankee Stadium on opening day with a chance to have an immediate impact against his new division rival.
More and more, Springer’s status for that showdown is at best day-to-day and at worst heading for an early MRI stint, however.
Manager Charlie Montoyo said on Monday that the team is awaiting the results of an MRI taken on Monday to get an updated look at the Grade 2 oblique strain the former Houston Astros star suffered earlier in spring training.
Given that development, the decision on whether the centre fielder will be in the lineup in the Bronx on Thursday will likely go down to the wire. In fact, it might not be made until hours before first pitch for the matinee at Yankee Stadium.
Montoyo said Springer’s status officially remains dayto-day, hardly a sign of optimism given the timing. The Jays were expecting to know the results of the latest MRI by Tuesday morning.
If there’s any doubt in his health, the Jays won’t rush Springer. Oblique injuries have been known to linger and the team will want to ensure swelling has gone down significantly before he is cleared to make his Jays debut.
Should Springer be unavailable, the roster the Jays used to start a 13-7 win over the Phillies on Monday could be very close to what we see in the Bronx on Thursday.
Second baseman Marcus Semien took Springer’s leadoff spot and Randal Grichuk held down the new guy’s centre field turf.
Springer was expected to accompany the team to New York Monday night where he will continue to be evaluated through an off day on Tuesday and workouts at Yankee Stadium the following day. Over the weekend, he hit balls off a tee at the Jays player development complex.
Meanwhile, the Jays are keeping the status of their opening weekend rotation close to the vest beyond announcing Hyun-Jin Ryu as the opening day starter in a battle of aces with the Yankees Gerrit Cole.
While acknowledging whoever gets the ball on Saturday and Sunday need to know soon for preparation purposes, Montoyo said the team first needs to evaluate the health of those who pitched on Monday.
Robbie Ray, who would have been No. 2 behind Ryu, continues to nurse his right elbow injury and will remain in Florida for rest and treatment. With more than a week being unable to throw, Ray’s season potential season debut continues to look further and further away and a stint on the injury list is possible.
Montoyo said that a bullpen day is a possibility for one of the first turns through the rotation with T.J. Zeuch and Trent Thornton candidates to start in that situation.
If there’s any doubt in his health, the Jays won’t rush Springer. Oblique injuries have been known to linger and the team will want to ensure swelling has gone down significantly before he is cleared to make his Jays debut.