Springer sits out opener with Red Sox
JAYS ERR ON SIDE OF CAUTION TO KEEP OUTFIELDER HEALTHY
Working down the to-do checklist for the unofficial second half the Blue Jays are well aware of their needs.
A starting rotation that is showing signs of turning around finding a rhythm would be nice. So, too, would be more regular appearances of the 2021 Vlad Guerrero Jr. than the intermittent one we’ve seen this season.
But also high on the list would be George Springer healthier at Game 162 than he is at Game 94.
With that in mind, Springer, who took a pass on the allstar festivities in Los Angeles this week to rest a nagging sore elbow, was not in the lineup for the opener of a critical weekend series here against the Red Sox.
“Last year was a learning process for him, us, everybody,” new manager John Schneider said by way of explanation on his first night of residency in the visiting manager’s office at Fenway Park. “And rather than going down that road again where you get a three-quarter George Springer, you (hopefully) get a 100 per cent George Springer.
“I think if we have that it sets us up well down the stretch. I know that everybody had a break but we all know that a healthy George is good for us.”
The front office is well aware of this, of course. When they signed Springer to that club record six-year, Us$150-million contract, they were after a player who can help the team get to October, but especially to deliver then.
So just as they did in the game before the break, Springer got another day off to rest an ailing elbow the team keeps insisting isn’t serious.
Springer has played in 82 of the Jays first 93 games, already a boost from the 78 he played last season. Getting another 60-plus out of him will be key, but ideally when the 32-year-old is physically at his best.
“We’re seeing how he responds to a full day of activity after a few down days,” Schneider said.
“Collectively it’s the best interest for him and for us just to make sure he’s really, really good.
BUDZINSKI RETURNS
Mark Budzinski is a baseball man through and through, but he’s a proud and loving father as well. So of course he was emotional Friday when talking about his 17-year-old daughter Julia, who died in a tragic boating accident earlier this month.
“She loved the country. She loved Toronto,” Budzinski said before his first game back with the team. “She is a competitor. She would ask me about the game every night or the next day, depending on the time of it. What was the score? Did you guys win? What’s your record right now.
“I was telling the guys today. Julia wanted to win bad.”
Budzinski’s voice cracked at times as he described his daughter, an accomplished soccer and volleyball player and avid follower of the Jays.
“We have aa strong faith and we know that Julia’s in a better place right now,” Budzinski said. “And we’ll look forward to seeing her down the road. That’s the only way this makes sense to me. To know there’s something greater for her.”
Budzinski emphasized his gratitude for the support from baseball people and fans across Canada and the U.S.
“You hear about social media and the negative in the media sometimes, but the world is full of good people,” Budzinski said. “That’s what hit home for us, how many good people there are in the world that helped us through this.
“Obviously it’s still difficult and you can tell I’m emotional and it will never be the same.”
MAN, OH MAN-OAH
As you might expect, those Jays who sat back and watched Alek Manoah strike out three of the four batters he faced at Tuesday’s all-star game in Los Angeles were mightily impressed.
“It was pitching and competing, but he was performing,” Jays pitching coach Pete Walker said. “It’s amazing to be able to do that at that age with all those super stars around. To do that is awesome.
“For a first time all-star in that situation, it was unbelievable. I just sat there in awe.”
Schneider, of course, had a similar reaction. “Best half-inning ever,” he said.