Blue Jays: George Springer’s Ongoing Injury Dilemma

To no surprise, Blue Jays outfielder George Springer is back on the 10-day IL but this time with right elbow inflammation. It’s not a good time to lose your best leadoff hitter. Springer has been battling elbow soreness since June, and he will receive an anti-inflammatory shot in his right elbow to help with recovery.

Springer is 32 years old, and this is the second consecutive season where he hasn’t been healthy for an entire season. He played just 78 games last season because of quad and ankle injuries. Springer is no stranger to injuries. The Blue Jays knew what they were signing up for. His durability issues go back to his Houston Astros days. Here’s a look at his injury history:

May 2019: Lower back stiffness and Hamstring

Sep 2019: Head

July 2020: Knee

Aug 2020: Wrist and Elbow

April 2021: Left Oblique

May 2021: Knee

April 2022: Forearm

May 2022: Ankle

June 2022: Illness and Elbow

July 2022: Elbow

Blue Jays outfielder George Springer is back on the IL and the rest of the squad will need to rally and produce while he is off.

I believe if he had stayed healthy last season, the Jays would’ve won more games and reached the postseason. He’s that valuable and essential to this team. Springer brings experience and leadership to the Jays lineup. He’s one of the most dangerous leadoff hitters in the game and is arguably the best players to come out of Connecticut in a long time. He’s that good of a baseball player.

The Blue Jays must rise to the occasion and rally behind him. Whit Merrifield is going to have to step up. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is going to have to step up. Santiago Espinal needs to get out of his slump and start to rally. You can’t just rely on Guerrero Jr, Bo Bichette, and Teoscar Hernandez. Those other guys must come through while Springer recovers. The Jays also signed outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. to potentially help burden the load.

Springer is in his second season of a $150 million, six-year deal. He is slashing .251/.331/.464 with 18 home runs and 49 RBI this year. The Blue Jays outfielder has played 89 games this season and will be eligible to return on Aug. 15.