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SEATTLE – Blue Jays manager John Schneider provided a positive update on designated hitter George Springer before taking aim at the fans who cheered when the veteran slugger was hurt Friday night at T-Mobile Park.
Springer suffered a right knee contusion in the seventh inning of Toronto’s 6-2 loss in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series. He was hit by a 95.6-m.p.h. pitch by reliever Bryan Woo and left the game.
Afterward, Schneider said X-rays were negative and Springer may be able to play in Game 6 on Sunday.
“I know this is an awesome atmosphere to play in and it’s really, really cool to play here,” Schneider said. “I think the fans that were booing him should take a look in the mirror and understand what kind of player he is.
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“I’ll stop there, because when a guy gets hit in the knee and is in obvious pain and you have 40,000 people cheering, (it’s) not the right thing to do.”
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The Mariners have a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series.
The sellout crowd of 46,758 booed Springer every time he was at the plate and cheered when he went down in obvious pain. A team trainer, joined by Schneider, came out of the dugout to offer assistance.
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The boos returned when Springer tried to test the strength of his leg as he gingerly walked down the first-base line. There was cheering when he left the game.
“It’s bullcrap,” said Blue Jays outfielder Myles Straw. “I mean there’s no room for it. It’s unfortunate and that should never be a thing. I mean it hurts getting hit by 95 and nobody up there knows what that feels like.
“So they should just probably keep their mouth shut.”
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Springer was replaced in the lineup by Joey Loperfido, who was added to the 26-man roster on Thursday after outfielder Anthony Santander was ruled out with a back injury.
Springer, who drove in Toronto’s first run of the game in the fifth inning, is hitting .256 in the post-season with three homers and six RBIs. He hit .309 in the regular season with 32 homers and 84 RBIs.
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Schneider said that Springer will likely undergo additional testing when the team arrives in Toronto.
“George is about as tough as they come,” Schneider said. “I think he’ll have to really, really be hurting to not be in the lineup on Sunday.”
If necessary, Game 7 will be played Monday in Toronto.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 17, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press