George Springer will return Friday for Game 6 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Springer was unable to play in Games 4 and 5 after suffering an injury to his right side in Game 3.
The 36-year-old will take back the leadoff spot as the Blue Jays’ designated hitter for the potential World Series clincher (Sportsnet, 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT).
Springer left in the seventh inning of Toronto’s 6-5, 18-inning loss in Game 3 on Monday. After fouling off a pitch, he called for a trainer to come out and left the game after a brief discussion.
The 2017 World Series MVP enjoyed a resurgent regular season at the plate, with his .959 OPS ranking third across MLB behind only Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani.
He continues his strong play into the post-season, where he’s recorded an .884 OPS and authored perhaps the moment of the playoffs for the Blue Jays with his seventh-inning three-run shot in Game 7 of the ALCS against the Mariners.
Springer’s return for Game 6 pushed Bo Bichette back to the infield, where he’ll return to second base. Andres Gimenez remains at shortstop, while Isiah Kiner-Falefa moves to the bench.
Davis Schneider, who hit a lead-off home run in Game 5, is also back on the bench in favour of the left-handed Nathan Lukes as the Blue Jays gear up to face a tough righty in Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
