Playoff hero George Springer returned to the Blue Jays lineup card on Wednesday afternoon, just over two weeks after suffering a broken toe.
While the star outfielder/DH was activated for Toronto’s game against the Boston Red Sox, he was not in the starting lineup for the 3:07 p.m. contest.
Springer entered the game in the fifth inning, pinch-hitting for DH Yohendrick Pinango, and delivered an RBI single as part of Toronto’s 8-1 victory. Springer was retired on a fly ball in his only other plate appearance.
Springer had been out since April 11 after suffering a broken big toe during a game against the Minnesota Twins.
On Tuesday, Springer had tested out the toe by hitting and running for a second straight day, apparently getting a passing grade from the team’s medical staff.
The team made the announcement a couple of hours before the matinee start at the Rogers Centre, with DH Eloy Jimenez being designated for assignment to make room from Springer.
Jimenez, a former Silver Slugger award winner, posted a batting average of .290 during his 12 games with the Jays and had three RBIs.
How had Springer been playing?
One of the Blue Jays’ many heroes during last year’s playoff run, Springer had gotten off to a slow start to the 2026 MLB season before winding up on the IL.
He was slashing .185/.290/.370 with two homers and four doubles in 14 games, well below his Silver Slugger award-winning numbers last year.
Springer is the second big-name Blue Jays player to come off the IL in as many days. On Tuesday night, rookie phenom Trey Yesavage made his season debut after dealing with a shoulder injury since spring training.
Yesavage pitched 5.1 innings, giving up four hits and no runs to earn the win.
What’s coming up for the Blue Jays?
After the Blue Jays finish their series with the Red Sox, they will hit the road for a four-game set with the Twins in Minnesota. They will then head to Florida for three games against AL East rival Tampa Bay Rays before heading back to Toronto for a series against the Los Angeles Angels.