Springer finally makes Jays debut

George Springer finally has a chance to make an impact with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Springer was in the lineup as the designated hitter and hit leadoff Wednesday night in his Blue Jays debut, going 0 for 4 in an 8-2 loss to the Washington Nationals. The slugger started his first season with Toronto sidelined by a pair of muscle strains.

The World Series MVP when Houston won its first title in 2017 signed a teamrecord $150 million, six-year deal with the Blue Jays this offseason but missed time in spring training, first because of a strained oblique and later because of a right quadriceps strain.

Springer said he was “sick and tired of being on the IL.

“I just had to trust myself,” Springer said about his return. “Obviously I don’t want to hurt myself again.”

• The Blue Jays placed ace Hyun Jin Ryu on the 10day injured list with a right glute strain, which occurred in a start last Sunday at Tampa Bay.

Blue Jays manager Charlie

Montoyo is hopeful the lefthander will miss only one start.

PHILLIES’ HARPER HIT IN FACE BY PITCH >> Phillies star Bryce Harper was hit in the face by a 96.9 mph fastball Wednesday night and left Philadelphia’s game against St. Louis.

Harper was drilled in the left cheek by left-handed reliever Génesis Cabrera’s first pitch in the sixth inning. The All-Star slugger picked himself up and walked off the field, blood dripping from a cut on the side of his nose.

Cabrera drilled Didi Gregorius

with another fastball on his next pitch. Phillies manager Joe Girardi came out of the dugout to argue with plate umpire Chris Segal and was ejected.

MARLINS’ CHISHOLM OUT >> The Miami Marlins placed rookie second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. on the 10-day injured list with a strained left hamstring.

Chisholm sustained the injury while stealing second base during the first inning of Miami’s 5-4 loss to Milwaukee on Tuesday. The 23-year-old is batting .290 with four homers and seven steals in 21 games.