The Toronto Blue Jays’ 6-2 loss to the Seattle Mariners in Game 5 of the ALCS puts the Jays down 3-2 in the series, and in must-win mode heading into Game 6 in Toronto on Sunday. With such a critical game coming up, the Jays are also facing an injury question to one of their best hitters, as George Springer was removed from Game 5 of the ALCS after being hit in the right knee by a Bryan Woo fastball.

Facing Woo in the seventh inning, Springer was drilled directly on the right kneecap by the pitch, leaving the designated hitter down for several minutes in obvious pain.  Springer eventually got up and gingerly walked to first base while trying to lightly jog to test his knee, but it was clear that Springer could barely walk properly (let alone run) and Joey Loperfido took over as a pinch-runner.

Talking to the Canadian Press and other media post-game, Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Springer was dealing with a right knee contusion and that x-rays were negative.  Springer is day-to-day for now, and a return for Game 6 wasn’t ruled out. As Schneider put it, “he’ll have to really, really be hurting to not be in the lineup on Sunday.”

The off-day before Game 6 will help Springer’s chances of being ready, yet it is hard to imagine that he would be 100 percent, given the clear discomfort all over Springer’s face in the aftermath of the hit-by-pitch.  Operating at a DH means that Springer can limit his involvement solely to hitting, yet his ability to run is now a clear question mark going into the biggest game of the Jays’ season.

Since the injury appears to be just day-to-day, it can be assumed the Blue Jays aren’t considering removing Springer from the ALCS roster.  Such a move would eliminate Springer from inclusion for the Jays’ potential World Series roster, and while just getting past the Mariners is Toronto’s more immediate concern, the club isn’t going to end Springer’s season unless he is entirely compromised physically.

Springer’s comeback year has been arguably the key element to the Jays’ success in 2025.  It seemed like Springer was on the decline after underwhelming performances in both 2023-24, but he roared back to hit .309/.399/.560 with 32 home runs over 586 plate appearances.  Springer’s 166 wRC+ was both the highest of his 12-year big league career and the third-highest mark in all of baseball this season (behind just Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani).  The output has continued in the postseason, as Springer has hit .256/.318/.615 with three homers in 44 PA during the Blue Jays’ playoff run.