George Springer exits World Series Game 3 after swing

LOS ANGELES – The good vibes surrounding George Springerâ€s World Series return to Dodger Stadium – the venue that played host to his career-defining performance during the 2017 Fall Classic – painfully came to an abrupt end.

Springer reached for his right side and was in clear discomfort shortly after fouling off the first pitch he saw from Dodgers reliever Justin Wrobleski to lead off the seventh inning of Game 3 on Monday night. Quickly calling for time from home-plate umpire Mark Wegner, the Blue Jays†designated hitter summoned Torontoâ€s training staff from the dugout and was replaced mid at-bat by Ty France after a short conversation before immediately heading down the stairs into the clubhouse.

While no announcement came during the game, the obvious initial fear is an oblique injury given where Springer was grabbing.

This was the latest instance of Springer getting dinged up this postseason. He took a fastball directly off his right kneecap during Game 5 of the American League Championship Series, which also caused him to exit early, then was hit by a pitch on the hand by Yoshinobu Yamamoto during Game 2 of the World Series on Saturday night. Springer did not have to miss any games after those previous injuries.

“I feel like heâ€s being held together with duct tape,†manager John Schneider said before Game 3. “[His knee] kind of comes and goes, but thatâ€s fine. It was actually a little bit more sore the day of Game 1 for whatever reason as opposed to those off-days. I think heâ€s fine.â€

An oblique injury, however, could be a whole different animal in terms of severity.

Should Springer have to miss time, the DH spot could open up for Bo Bichette, who returned from a left knee injury for the World Series after missing more than a month but is clearly playing at less than 100% and has shifted to second base in an effort to avoid the wear and tear of playing shortstop. Any impact on the outfield would likely see Myles Straw getting more time against left-handed pitching and Joey Loperfido, seldom used as of late, against right-handers.

Of course, losing Springer for any time would be a devastating blow and make winning the whole thing a whole lot more challenging. He is the heart and soul of this Blue Jays lineup and an established postseason performer who has proven able to shine in the biggest of moments.

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