Toronto Blue Jays outfielder George Springer has a Grade 1 left knee sprain, the team announced Wednesday.
There are three grades of sprains, with one being the least severe. In a Grade 1 sprain, at least one of the four ligaments in the knee has been stretched, causing microscopic tears, but the joint itself is stable. A Grade 3 sprain, for comparison, is when the ligament is torn in two or is completely separate at its end from the bone, rendering the knee severely unstable.
An official timeline for recovery was not immediately provided by the Blue Jays. According to Harvard Health, the recovery time for a Grade 2 sprain varies, but typically requires at least two weeks.
Springer left Saturday night’s game at Seattle in the seventh inning with a sprained left ankle. While dealing with the injured ankle, Springer said he felt discomfort in the knee, and an MRI revealed the sprain.
The star outfielder was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday.
Springer’s first season in Toronto has been beset by injuries after he signed a six-year, $150-million contract in the off-season, but he had been rounding into all-star form. He was named the American League’s player of the week on consecutive occasions on Aug. 2 and Aug. 9.
Springer is batting .269 with 16 home runs and 35 runs batted in over 49 games this season.
