SEATTLE – Blue Jays manager John Schneider provided a positive update on designated hitter George Springer before taking aim on the fans who cheered when the veteran slugger was hurt Friday night at T-Mobile Park.
Springer suffered a right knee contusion within the seventh inning of Toronto’s 6-2 loss in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series. He was hit by a 95.6-m.p.h. pitch by reliever Bryan Woo and left the sport.
Afterward, Schneider said X-rays were negative and Springer may have the opportunity to play in Game 6 on Sunday.
“I do know that is an awesome atmosphere to play in and it’s really, really cool to play here,” Schneider said. “I believe the fans that were booing him should have a look within the mirror and understand what type of player he’s.
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“I’ll stop there, because when a man gets hit within the knee and is in obvious pain and you will have 40,000 people cheering, (it’s) not the appropriate thing to do.”
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The Mariners have a 3-2 lead within the best-of-seven series.
The sellout crowd of 46,758 booed Springer each time he was on the plate and cheered when he went down in obvious pain. A team trainer, joined by Schneider, got here out of the dugout to supply assistance.
The boos returned when Springer tried to check the strength of his leg as he gingerly walked down the first-base line. There was cheering when he left the sport.
“It’s bullcrap,” said Blue Jays outfielder Myles Straw. “I mean there’s no room for it. It’s unlucky and that ought to never be a thing. I mean it hurts getting hit by 95 and no person up there knows what that seems like.
“So that they should just probably keep their mouth shut.”
Springer was replaced within the lineup by Joey Loperfido, who was added to the 26-man roster on Thursday after outfielder Anthony Santander was ruled out with a back injury.
Springer, who drove in Toronto’s first run of the sport within the fifth inning, is hitting .256 within the post-season with three homers and 6 RBIs. He hit .309 within the regular season with 32 homers and 84 RBIs.
Schneider said that Springer will likely undergo additional testing when the team arrives in Toronto.
“George is about as tough as they arrive,” Schneider said. “I believe he’ll have to actually, really be hurting to not be within the lineup on Sunday.”
If obligatory, Game 7 will likely be played Monday in Toronto.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 17, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press