George Springer’s return big boost for Blue Jays down the stretch

George Springer has returned from the injured list and sent a quick reminder of just how important he is to the Toronto Blue Jays.

Activated off the injured list on August 15 after battling right elbow inflammation, Springer has had multiple-hit games in two of the four contests since he return. That includes a banner night as the Toronto Blue Jays kicked off an important series in the Bronx against the New York Yankees with a definitive win.

George Springer showed his value to the Toronto Blue Jays with a big performance on Thursday night against the New York Yankees

The 32-year-old Springer went 4-for-9 in his first three games back from the injured list against the Baltimore Orioles, and then upped his game even more when the Blue Jays traveled to the Big Apple.

Springer would finish 5-for-5 from the leadoff spot, the third time in his career he has had five hits in one season (he also went 6-for-6 in a 2018 game against the Oakland A’s).

Earning his fourth career All-Star Game appearance this season (and first as a member of the Blue Jays), Springer makes Toronto “much better,” according to interim manager John Schneider, who also went on to say in this article, “We’re not asking him to be a world beater, but just be himself.”

And that’s exactly what the Blue Jays need as they chase the Yankees in the American League East standings while also trying to fight off a trio of teams in the Minnesota Twins, Baltimore Orioles, and Chicago White Sox in the Wild Card chase, with each of them entering Thursday night’s play within 2.5 games of Toronto and a Wild Card spot.

Slashing .267/.343/.477 with 18 home runs and 51 RBI heading into the second game against the Yankees on Friday, Springer can certainly be a difference-maker for Toronto down the stretch. And that’s great news for a team that has high hopes for the postseason with a deep and talented lineup healthy and coming together for a big division series against the Yankees.