The Blue Jays placed outfielder George Springer on the 10-day disabled list with right elbow inflammation, retroactive to Aug. 5. Reliever Otto Lopez was activated by the Cubs to take Springer’s spot on the active roster.
Springer has been dealing with elbow soreness for most of the season, with the injury apparently getting worse over the last six weeks. The Jays have often rested Springer or used him as a DH, but since he’s only played in two of Toronto’s last seven games, it looks like a full stint in IL is needed to allow Springer to fully recover. Over his last 29 games and 130 plate appearances, Springer hit a modest .226/.310/.409, so his bad elbow was clearly affecting his production.
A healthy Springer is critical to the Blue Jays’ chances of reaching the postseason and making a deep run in October, so the outfielder and staff can only hope that this trip to IL finally fixes the elbow issue. Springer’s injury certainly factored into the Jays’ decision to acquire Whit Merrifield at the trade deadline, and Merrifield is now looking to get the bulk of the time in center field while Springer is out, with Rymel Tapia and backup Bradley Zimmer. providing additional depth.
Lopez could also be in the mix, as center field is one of four positions (along with left field, second base and shortstop) that he has played this season in Triple-A Buffalo. Lopez also hit .267/.357/.424 over 246 PA with the Bisons. MLB Pipeline ranked Lopez as the fourth-best prospect in the Jays farm system, impressed by his high speed and contact hitting, even if Lopez appears to lack power. The 23-year-old appeared in exactly one MLB game in each of the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
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