George Springer‘s timeline for a return to the Toronto Blue Jays appears to be getting murkier by the day.
The outfielder has been sidelined since being hit in the head by a pitch on July 28, after which he was placed on the seven-day concussion injured list on Aug. 1.
Springer was then sent down to triple-A Buffalo for what was supposed to be a brief rehab stint, as he was originally expected to return to action with the Bisons on either Tuesday or Wednesday.
That hasn’t been the case, however, as the 35-year-old has yet to join Buffalo’s starting lineup, including Sunday’s contest against the Worcester Red Sox.
“He’s feeling better every day,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said during an appearance on Blair and Barker on Friday. “He’s hitting, running, today he’s taking fly balls off a bat in the outfield. As soon as he can get clearance from the MLB, (he’ll) probably play in a game, see how he feels and go from there.”
In 101 games, Springer is slashing .291/.383/.506 with 57 RBIs and is tied for a team-high with 18 home runs.
While it appeared the Blue Jays were managing fine without the four-time all-star — sweeping the Colorado Rockies to start the week, while setting records for runs and hits in a three-game series — the AL-leading squad would gladly welcome back Springer’s production after mustering just two runs in two games against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday and Saturday.
The Blue Jays now look to avoid a sweep at the hands of the NL West leaders on Sunday before heading back to Toronto to host the Chicago Cubs and Texas Rangers.
