Toronto Blue Jays outfielder George Springer suffers another injury in rehab

ARLINGTON, Texas — New Toronto Blue Jays outfielder George Springer’s debut with the team could be delayed further after he suffered a setback in his rehab on Tuesday.

Springer, who is nursing a strained left oblique muscle, felt tightness in his right quadriceps when running the bases, Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said.

Montoyo said Springer had an MRI on Tuesday night and the team is still gathering information. Montoyo said Springer had no issues with his oblique.

The 2017 World Series MVP with Houston was eligible to come off the 10-day injured list Thursday when the Blue Jays play their home opener against the Los Angeles Angels in Dunedin, Fla.

The Blue Jays signed Springer to a six-year, US$150-million deal this past off-season.

“Everybody’s concerned because with those injuries you just never know where they are,” Montoyo said. “It’s tough because you’ve got to be careful just like with the oblique because if you pull it worse you’re really out for a long time … You know how badly he wants to play.”

Springer opened the season on the injured list after not playing any exhibition games since March 21. The outfielder was initially scratched from a March 9 game because of tightness in his abdominal muscles.

When talking to reporters Tuesday, the 31-year-old expressed excitement about the opportunity to play Thursday.

Montoyo described Springer as “a little disappointed” on Wednesday.

The manager said Springer stopped running when he felt the tightness, and when that hadn’t subsided later, he realized it was more than a cramp and had an MRI.

In other injury news, Montoyo said left-handed starter Robbie Ray (elbow) was slated to throw live batting practice on Wednesday. 

– With files from The Associated Press.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 7, 2021.

The Canadian Press