George Springer is trending towards a World Series return.
The Toronto Blue Jays slugger “came close” to starting Game 5 and is heading in the right direction for Game 6, manager John Schneider told reporters on Thursday.
Springer has been held out of the last two starting lineups with a midsection issue after exiting Game 3 of the World Series. He took a big swing on an 0-0 pitch from Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Justin Wrobleski in a 4-4 game in the top of the seventh inning and exited with the training staff after attempting to remain in the contest.
“He was right on the fence,” Schneider said when asked how close Springer was to making a last-second appearance. “I think he probably could have, you know what I mean and I was really juggling what’s best for him what’s best for the team.”
Schneider admitted that if things continue the way that have in the last 48 hours there is a strong possibility he will have his veteran in the lineup, but noted it will likely come down to the wire.
“Making sure he feels comfortable and confident (Friday), not just for one at-bat to go in and to compete and to kind of get locked into a game. He’s kind of checked every box physically so far. So we’ll see how tomorrow goes.”
Springer has been a key part of the Blue Jays’ lineup during their run to the Fall Classic. He has mashed four homers for nine RBIs and none bigger than his go-ahead three-run blast in Game 7 of the ALCS against the Seattle Mariners.
The 36-year-old enjoyed a bounce-back regular season, finishing third in all of the majors in OPS only trailing MVP front-runners Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge.
Game 6 is set for Friday night at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT with Blue Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman set to toe the rubber opposite Dodgers righty Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
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