Springer’s debut set for Tuesday
Blue Jays didn’t need star outfielder to win spring training opener
George Springer is set to make his Blue Jays’ spring training debut on Tuesday afternoon against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo made the announcement following his team’s 6-4 win over the New York Yankees on Sunday afternoon in the opener of the Grapefruit League season. Rowdy Tellez went 2-for-2 with a double while prospect Logan Warmoth homered in the victory.
Springer will make his first start at designated hitter just to get some at-bats. The reps in centrefield likely will begin later in the week as he eases into regular playing time this spring. The 31-year-old signed a franchise record six-year contract worth $150 million this off-season.
“He’s a routine kind of guy,” Montoyo said late last week in reference to Springer’s schedule.
“He’s always had a routine where he likes to take a lot of live batting practice before he plays in the games and that’s how we are going to approach it in spring training.”
Springer spent the first seven years of his career with the Houston Astros. He’s a lifetime .270 hitter with 174 home runs, 458 RBIs and an .899 OPS in 795 games.
New look for Semien
Recently signed infielder Marcus Semien began his full-time transition from shortstop to second base in Sunday’s game against the Yankees as he enjoyed a relatively uneventful day in the field.
Semien made a pair of routine plays in three innings at second base before he was eventually lifted for a pinch runner in the fourth. The former finalist for the AL MVP award finished 1for-2 with a single and a walk before coming out of the game.
This is the first time Semien has been asked to play a position other than shortstop since 2014. The Blue Jays expect the transition to be smooth, but it will require a bit of finesse around the bag as Semien masters the footwork involved with playing second.
“I have a lot of confidence that he’s going to be alright,” Montoyo said after the win over New York. “Usually, shortstops, they’re okay moving this way. It’s when second basemen have to go to short, that’s when it becomes tough. He’ll be alright, but I’ll be watching when he turns double plays to make sure he doesn’t get hurt.”