Blue Jays Win in George Springer's Return

George Springer was in a Toronto Blue Jays uniform, on a Major League field, playing professional baseball.

It may not seem like a lot, but it’s more than the Blue Jays have had for the last 50 days and most of the 2021 season. Sandy Alcantara dominated and Ross Stripling continued his recent stretch of success, but in Toronto’s 2-1 win over the Miami Marlins, the simple presence of Springer was the main event.

"We're tied or leading the league in homers," Stripling said. "And now we're going to throw George Springer into the lineup for the next 90 games."

In the second inning of Tuesday’s game, Springer readjusted his light blue batting gloves as he walked into the box. He tugged the Blue Jays jersey off his chest, exhaled once, and watched Sandy Alcantara’s first pitch drop low. The outfielder later grounded out to the third basemen, but he ran well, didn’t pull up, and was, most importantly, on the field and in the lineup.

Springer, hitting fifth, finished the game 0-for-four, and wasn’t called upon to make a single play in the field. It was the first time in his big-league career in the five-hole and only the 10th time he’s hit outside of the top four. But, even with his new role, there was no lineup controversy and prior to the game Springer said all the right things.

“I will do whatever [Charlie Montoyo] needs me to do, I will hit wherever he needs me to hit," Springer said. "That is what I'm here to do."

As Teoscar Hernández eased into second base, firing finger guns into the air in the fourth, Springer dug in for his second at bat. Toronto's centerfielder fired a liner into left field that was caught for an out, but the threat he posed over halfway down the lineup flashed just how dangerous this Blue Jays attack can be.

"My gosh, you got George Springer in the five hole," Stripling said. "It's as strong as any lineup in the big leagues."

The usual suspects carried the offense Tuesday night — Bo Bichette stole a base, Vlad Guerrero Jr. drove him home, and Hernández had a pair of hits — but a career .269/.360/.492 hitter like Springer will get his soon enough. Regardless of how this batting order settles, Toronto's lineup currently contains five top-tier hitters and solid offensive depth.

Bichette, Guerrero Jr., Springer, Hernandez, and Semien all have All-Star swings, with the potential for much more. If they can all stay productive, and most importantly stay on the field, opposing pitchers will fear the boys in blue.

Springer had a chance to put the Blue Jays ahead in the ninth inning but grounded into the inning's first out. He may have not helped Toronto tonight, and there will be other games he does not, but he was in a Blue Jays uniform — and for now, that is good enough.