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George Springer Back in Monday's Lineup Against Red Sox
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder George Springer (shoulder) is serving as the designated hitter and is batting cleanup for Monday's series opener against the division-rival Boston Red Sox and right-hander Sonny Gray, per MLB.com. Springer was held out of the final two games of the series over the weekend against the Philadelphia Phillies due to a left-shoulder injury, but he's back in the starting nine to begin the new week against a pitcher with whom he is very familiar. The 36-year-old has hit .296 with a .943 OPS, two home runs, and five RBI in 27 career at-bats against Gray. Fantasy managers are hoping that will help Springer get out of a funk at the plate. In his first nine games in August, he's gone 6-for-27 (.222) with a .633 OPS, zero home runs, a double, a triple, two RBI, three runs, one steal, three walks, and five strikeouts in 30 plate appearances. The four-time All-Star turned back the clock in 2025 with 32 homers, 84 RBI, and 18 steals during the regular season, but he has come back to Earth in 2026 with a .234/.317/.396 slash line, 12 homers, 36 RBI, and eight steals in 88 games played.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
George Springer Scratched on Saturday With Shoulder Tightness
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder George Springer (shoulder) has been scratched from Saturday's starting lineup against the hosting Philadelphia Phillies due to tightness in his left shoulder, per Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet. Springer has been dealing with shoulder tightness for the last couple of days. With Springer starting on the bench, outfielder Jesus Sanchez will serve as Toronto's designated hitter and bat cleanup against Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola at Citizens Bank Park. Springer's injury doesn't sound all that serious, but don't be surprised if he's held out again in Sunday's series finale in Philly as a precaution. The Jays start a new series back at home on Monday against the division-rival Boston Red Sox. The four-time All-Star hasn't had quite the bounce-back season he had in 2025, as he's hitting just .234/.317/.396 with a .714 OPS, 12 home runs, 36 RBI, 40 runs scored, and eight stolen bases across 86 games and 378 plate appearances in 2026. Springer did, however, hit .290 (18-for-62) with four homers, two doubles, 13 RBI, nine runs scored, and a steal in 16 games in the month of July.
Source: Sportsnet.ca - Arden Zwelling
Source: Sportsnet.ca - Arden Zwelling
George Springer Lands on Paternity List
The Toronto Blue Jays announced on Wednesday that they placed outfielder/designated hitter George Springer on the paternity list and recalled outfielder Jonatan Clase from Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move. With Springer now away from the team for the birth of his child, Sean Keys will serve as the DH for Wednesday's series finale against the New York Mets and right-hander Freddy Peralta at the Rogers Centre. Springer will be away from the team for up to three days, so he could miss most of the upcoming series against the Seattle Mariners that starts on Friday, July 3. The 36-year-old veteran and four-time All-Star hasn't been able to replicate his resurgent 2025 campaign, when he hit .309/.399/.560 with 32 home runs, 84 RBI, and 18 stolen bases in 140 regular-season games. Through 63 contests and 279 plate appearances in 2026, the 13-year veteran is slashing just .221/.308/.373 with a .681 OPS, eight home runs, 21 RBI, 29 runs, and six steals. Fantasy managers should not be expecting him to return to his 2025 form in the second half.
Source: Toronto Blue Jays
Source: Toronto Blue Jays
