It looks like George Springer will return for Game 6 of the World Series.
After missing the last two games with a right oblique strain, Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Thursday that Springer has “checked every box physically so far,” indicating that he’s on track to take the field in Toronto on Friday night.
“Just making sure he feels comfortable and confident tomorrow, and not just for one at-bat, to go in and compete and kind of get locked into a game,” Schneider said, via the Associated Press.
Schneider said Springer, who left Game 3 mid at-bat after tweaking his side on a swing, nearly took the field for Game 5 of Wednesday, a game the Blue Jays won 6-1 to put themselves one win away from a World Series title.
“He was right on the fence,” Schneider said of Springer playing in Game 5. “I think he probably could have. I was really juggling what’s best for him, what’s best for the team, not just immediately to start the game, but kind of how that game may unfold too.”
Springer ran in the outfield and took some swings pregame before the team ultimately decided to keep him out of the lineup, per MLB.com.
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The return of Springer would be a major boost to the Blue Jays’ lineup.
During the regular season, the four-time All-Star was one of the best hitters in baseball, slashing .309/.399/.560 with 32 home runs.
That continued into the postseason, during which he has hit four home runs with a .932 OPS.
After falling down 2-1, the Blue Jays have won each of the past two games with Springer sidelined, putting them on the brink of a championship with two chances at taking the series on their home field.