DENVER — As the Toronto Blue Jays begin a six-game swing through the National League West on Monday, it’s clear that the presence of George Springer is missed in the lineup and clubhouse.
Placed on the seven-day concussion list on Aug. 1 after being hit in the head by a pitch on July 28, Springer will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday. The hope is that the 35-year-old Springer can return to MLB play shortly after that.
“We’ve been pretty aggressive with what he is physically cleared to do in terms of hitting and hitting off the machine,” Toronto manager John Schneider said on Monday as the Blue Jays prepared to face the Colorado Rockies.
Schneider admitted that he has had to get “creative” with the lineup in Springer’s absence. Hitting mostly in the second spot in the batting order since the start of July, Springer has been one of MLB’s hottest hitters since the All-Star break, slashing .432/.519/.614 in 44 at-bats.
“It’s not just him (Springer) but I think how it plays down the lineup too,” Schneider says of the veteran hitter’s absence. “It’s not just what he does in the box, but on the bases as well. Having that voice in the dugout, it’s really good. It also lets the rest of the lineup do their thing as well.”
Bo Bichette is one of three players who has filled in at the two-hole in Springer’s absence. He was penciled into that spot on Monday night in a stadium where his dad, Dante, was revered as one of the Blake Street Bombers and hit one of the most memorable home runs in Colorado history, coming through in the first game played at Coors Field.
