After early exit, Springer to have back examined
BOSTON — After appearing uncomfortable in three strikeouts against Boston starter Chris Sale on Sunday, George Springer exited the Astros’ 4-3 loss to the Red Sox in the fifth inning with lower back stiffness.
Manager A.J. Hinch said Springer would not play Monday against the White Sox at Minute Maid Park. Jose Altuve is already on the injured list, and Aledmys Diaz is unlikely to play Monday, either, leaving the club thin on the 25man roster.
Springer, perhaps the early front-runner for American League Most Valuable Player honors, will be examined by Astros physicians and personnel upon arrival back to Houston on Mon
day morning.
“He never really got loose today, and it got progressively worse,” Hinch said. “His swings got a little more timid as the day went on. I probably should have taken him out a little earlier.”
Throughout the three games at Fenway Park, Springer seemed to grimace or grab his hip or back whenever he swung and missed. Neither he nor Hinch said before Sunday that anything was awry.
Though he was coy with specifics, Springer intimated his pain persisted prior to Sunday’s game. He called himself “dumb” for trying to play through it.
“I could feel it. I knew it was there, and I didn’t want to risk doing anything more to it,” Springer said. “It’s just a normal thing. It happens. But it’s early. You don’t want to do anything dumb to risk being out longer. … We’ll move on and see how I feel tomorrow.”
Despite the pain, Springer’s torrid pace went uninterrupted in Boston. He hit a go-ahead two-run
homer on Friday and began Saturday’s game with a ringing triple off the center-field wall.
Springer entered Sunday afternoon with the American League’s highest OPS and slugging percentage. His 17 home runs and 42 RBIs are atop the league leader board, too, part of a prodigious beginning to Springer’s sixth major league season.
“Any time you feel like you’re swinging the bat well, you want to stay on the field,” Springer said. “I want to be on the field even if I’m not swinging the bat well. So yeah, it’s a little frustrating, but I hope I can feel good tomorrow and get back in there.”