Blue Jays: George Springer injury update provides good news after hit by pitch

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder George Springer hasn't exactly been off to the start he'd hoped for, hitting just .216 with three home runs and a .603 OPS. But one thing he had been doing better than in his first two seasons with the Jays was staying on the field. Springer had played in all 24 games thus far in 2023. Unfortunately, he just might be at risk of having that streak come to an end.

Springer was hit in the right hand by a Michael Kopech pitch in the bottom of the 3rd in Wednesday afternoon's game against the Chicago White Sox.

He was obviously feeling it but stayed in the game and took his base. Then in the top of the 4th, in right field, he ran over to make a catch by the line and braced himself on the wall with that injured hand, and could be seen visibly wincing from the contact.

Cavan Biggio came in to pinch-hit for Springer in the 4th, clearly indicating that the injured hand was something serious enough that he couldn't continue.

The good news is that x-rays have come back negative, and it's being called a hand contusion. Tomorrow is an off-day, granting the outfielder an extra's day rest, and hopefully this won't be a lingering problem.

Springer is no stranger to injury troubles in his time in Toronto. He only managed to play 78 games in his first season with the Jays in 2021 due to an assortment of injuries, including to his ankle, quad, wrist and oblique. Last year, he was able to participate in 133 games, with time off due to elbow issues among other ailments. In the postseason, he was involved in that frightening collision with Bo Bichette that left him with a concussion.

A healthy George Springer is critical for the Jays in 2023; here's hoping that this latest unfortunate incident isn't anything that'll keep him out for long.