Toronto Blue Jaysdesignated hitter George Springer has been away from the team since Tuesday and is set to miss his second straight game Friday for Toronto's series opener against the Seattle Mariners.
This year, Springer has not had the season he anticipated. He had a resurgent 2025 campaign, turning back the clock and finishing seventh in American League MVP voting while playing a pivotal role in leading the Blue Jays to the World Series.
Unfortunately, that momentum has not carried into 2026. Across 63 games, he has posted a .221 batting average, .308 on-base percentage, .681 OPS, eight home runs and 21 RBIs.
© Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images
However, Springer has had some positives this season, and the reason he is away from the team right now is the biggest one. Springer and his wife Charlise welcomed their son on Wednesday. The family is doing well, according to Blue Jays manager John Schneider.
Schneider also announced that it is unclear exactly when Springer will rejoin the team, via Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.
MLB rules only permit a player to be on the paternity list for one to three days before being placed back on the active roster. The Blue Jays could activate him Saturday but allow him to return Sunday and simply play a man down for one day.
Regardless, Springer will be back in the lineup sooner rather than later. The sooner the better for Toronto, who need him to get back on track as they enter Friday five games under .500 at 41-46. He is in the final year of his six-year, $150 million contract, and this could be his last opportunity to deliver and bring a World Series title to Toronto.
