George Springer Got Plunked Right on His Broken Toe and the Blue Jays Dodged a Bullet

George Springer left Saturday's game against the Twins in serious pain after taking a slider off his left foot, the exact same spot where he fractured his left big toe last month. Cruel doesn't even cover it. A Connor Prielipp slider snapped down and in, striking Springer right on top of his cleat at Target Field. When Manager John Schneider and the Blue Jays' trainer rushed out to the field, Springer was on the ground for a while before limping off.

But here's the good news that saves this disaster from being a complete catastrophe: the X-rays came back clean. No new fracture.

The Broken Toe That Just Won't Quit

Springer fractured that left big toe on April 11 and sat out for 18 days. This was only his fourth game back when he got drilled on Saturday. He didn't need a rehab assignment before returning, which told the Blue Jays his swing was ready. What they didn't anticipate was him getting hit in the exact same spot two weeks later.

"He got X-rays which showed no new fracture," Schneider said after the Blue Jays beat the Twins 11-4. "It went right off that guard he has on his spikes, thankfully." That guard literally saved him from going back to the injured list. Springer was even laughing about it while sitting on the ground, which tells you something about his mindset right now.

The Blue Jays Are Already Dealing With Enough

Toronto's injury list is a nightmare. Nathan Lukes is on the IL with a left hamstring injury and still weeks away. Addison Barger sprained his left ankle and is rehabbing in Single-A Dunedin, but should be ready by the end of next week when the Blue Jays return home.

This has forced Toronto to rely on prospect Yohendrick Pinango, who's stepped up and earned some runway. It's also given Myles Straw and Jesús Sánchez bigger roles. Myles Straw even hit a second-deck home run in Saturday's game.

Springer's leadoff spot matters. With Vladimir Guerrero Jr. batting third and Kazuma Okamoto fourth, he anchors the lineup. When he went down in April, the Blue Jays had to shuffle Ernie Clement, Straw, Lukes and Davis Schneider through that spot. It left the rest of the order scrambling every night. Schneider said before Saturday, "It's like playoff George. He's just grinding through it."

What's Next?

Springer was going to get Sunday's early 12:45 p.m. ET start off anyway. Now it's a day-by-day situation. The Blue Jays will have a clearer picture of his availability by first pitch Sunday.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.