Blue Jays drop bummer World Series lineup change after ominous John Schneider quote

Though Toronto's fanbase just spent a full day trying to manifest a reality that went against their better judgment, it appears the efforts were ineffective - though not for lack of trying. The back half of Toronto's 18-inning marathon Game 3 was played with Ty France/Davis Schneider in George Springer's spot after the Blue Jays' linchpin slugger came up injured on a swing, holding his side in pain.

Everyone who's ever watched baseball knew immediately it was oblique problem, leaving Springer's chances of return during the series negligible at best. Depending on the severity of such an issue, an offensive player can be forced to take a handful of weeks off, or perhaps several months. An oblique issue took Roman Anthony of the Red Sox out of the final month of the season and Boston's postseason run. It's a relatively hopeless injury that's in the business of interrupting swings.

And yet, heading into Game 4, Blue Jays manager John Schneider tried to minimize the blow, calling Springer "hour-to-hour" rather than eliminating him from lineup consideration.

Of course ... that wasn't the only thing Schneider said about his superstar motor. “Whenever the season’s over you guys will be surprised to hear how much he’s grinded physically," Schneider noted ominously, hinting at a cavalcade of pains still yet to be revealed.

Less than an hour later, the Jays lineup dropped and featured the exact shift we expected and feared: Springer to the bench, Bo Bichette in the DH role, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa to the infield.

Blue Jays lineup for Game 4 of 2025 World Series doesn't include George Springer

The bright side? Keeping Bichette off his feet could benefit Toronto after an ALCS spent without him.

The downside? The shuffle comes at Springer's expense, as the Blue Jays lose the man who sent them to the World Series and put the team on his back countless times throughout a magical 2025 season, one in which he was nominated for a Silver Slugger twice, as both a DH and outfielder.

If Springer truly is "hour-to-hour," perhaps we'll see him emulated a hobbled Kirk Gibson late in Game 4. Unfortunately, the telltale signs of a longterm injury were all right there last night. We just didn't want to see them.