Blue Jays Activate George Springer, DFA Bradley Zimmer

Monday afternoon, the Blue Jays announced that George Springer was being activated from the injured list and in a corresponding move the club designated Bradley Zimmer for assignment to make room on the 26-man roster.

Springer was placed on the 10-day injured list on August 6, after he had played in only one game since July 30 and has not played in the field since July 28 as he had been the designated hitter before that.  During the game on Sunday, Sportsnet showed some video clips of Springer shagging fly balls, but he was unable to throw anything back into the infield as he was just under handing the ball back in, so my assumption is he will likely become the permanent DH for the foreseeable future.

Through 89 games this season, Springer has posted a slash line of .251/.331/.464 and is third on the team in home runs with 18, behind Vladimir Guerrero Jr and Matt Chapman who each have 23, and he leads the team with stolen bases (10).

The soon-to-be 33-year-old missed more than half the season in 2021 due to injuries and is in the second year of a six-year deal that pays him $150 Million.  The struggling Blue Jays can now hopefully turn things around with the return of Springer and the recent news that also sees Ross Stripling come off the injured list this Wednesday to make his return to the rotation.

The Blue Jays will get a jolt in the line-up Monday night as the club has activated George Springer from the injured list

To make room on the active roster the club had to DFA Zimmer.  The Blue Jays acquired the 29-year-old at the beginning of the season from the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for Anthony Castro and he has been on the roster ever since, however, due to his struggles at the plate, he was used in very limited action as a late inning defensive replacement or pinch hitter/runner.  Zimmer appeared in 77 games, but had just 87 plate appearances and went 8 for 76 posting a slash line of .105/.209/.237 with six extra-base hits and striking out 33 times to just five walks.  With the recent signing of Jackie Bradley Jr and the addition of Whit Merrifield at the deadline, Zimmer had to know his days were numbered.  This past weekend series against Cleveland had him getting his first plate appearance since July 22 and he has just two hits since May 24.

It is unclear what will happen with Zimmer. Still, it may be in his interest to accept the demotion as with Springer’s injury history he could find himself back on the roster and Zimmer be recalled back to the 40-man later this year.