The Toronto Blue Jays are just one win away from their first World Series title since 1993. But a cloud of suspicion lies over the availability of one of their stars. Toronto’s star leadoff hitter, George Springer, is a Game 6 doubt. If he is unable to take the field, it will be a huge blow to the Blue Jays. Springer had a great regular season, hitting 32 home runs and having a .959 OPS. The question of whether Springer would play became more important after he strangely hurt himself during the seventh inning of Game 3.

Springer hurt his knees and hands during the series. Manager John Schneider had said that Springer could still play in Game 5, but the Blue Jays didn’t use him. Thursday’s day off was very important for recovery, and Toronto’s decision not to make a roster move shows that they really want their leadoff hitter to be back in action.

If Springer is still unavailable, the Toronto Blue Jays, then Nathan Lukes would move back to the top of the order, and Bo Bichette, who had just recovered from a left-knee injury that kept him out of most of the postseason, would stay as the DH. Joey Loperfido, a utility player, is ready to come off the bench. The Blue Jays have shown that they can win without their best hitter, but Springer’s return would give Toronto the offensive boost it needs to win the championship.

People are guessing about Springer’s availability because they don’t know exactly what’s wrong with him. The Blue Jays have kept quiet about the injury itself and have not given any public details on purpose. Kevin Pillar, talking on Foul Territory, noted that “they’ve kept it really under wraps around here” with the team labeling it a side injury rather than specifically naming it an oblique.

Pillar observed that “they’re taking a book out of, you know, hockey, which is very popular here in Canada, and they’re just labeling it an upper body injury” without elaborating further on the specifics.

Pillar was doubtful about Springer’s quick recovery timeline and said that  “I’ve never really seen a player leave the game under his own power or under his own guidance with a side injury and be able to bounce back in a day or two.” But he was aware that things could change, which led him to believe that, “George Springer at the top of the lineup at 60 percent, you know, could be a good option,” given the franchise’s championship aspirations.

The Blue Jays put an end to the rumors by saying that Springer will bat first and be the designated hitter in Game 6 against the Dodgers. Springer missed Games 4 and 5 because he hurt his right side in Game 3. He felt good enough to play again when the series returned to Rogers Centre. The addition of the veteran outfielder to the lineup is a big step forward for Toronto’s quest for the title.

Springer, 36, has impressive credentials for the contest. He has an OPS of .884 and four home runs in 14 postseason games. The Blue Jays want to win their first World Series title since 1993, and having him back in the leadoff spot gives them their best offensive player.

George Springer powers Blue Jays toward championship glory

Springer has had injury problems throughout the series, but his impact on Toronto’s postseason run is clear and makes him the most important player in Friday’s big game. The veteran outfielder has become the Blue Jays’ October hero, hitting four home runs and driving in nine important runs during their amazing trip to the World Series. In Game 7 of the ALCS, he hit a three-run home run against Seattle that sent Toronto to the Fall Classic and showed that he was back to his best when it mattered most.

Springer, who is 36, has proven his critics wrong by demonstrating that he can return to his best form. He made a full comeback in 2025, when he had an OPS that was third best in Major League Baseball, behind only MVP candidates Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge. This elite group shows how big Springer’s comeback year was.

His regular-season stats show how deep his comeback is. Springer hit 32 home runs and had a .309 batting average, making him one of the most feared hitters in baseball again. Those impressive numbers have brought his career totals to 293 home runs and 796 RBIs, making him one of the most productive players in the history of the sport.

The Blue Jays are one win away from their first championship since 1993. Kevin Gausman will pitch against Yoshinobu Yamamoto of the Dodgers on Friday at 8 p.m. ET. Springer’s availability could be the deciding factor in what promises to be an exciting Game 6 at Rogers Centre.