Springer injured: Boos for legend after being hit in the knee

SEATTLE – George Springer, a prominent hitter for the Toronto Blue Jays, left Game 5 of the American League Championship Series after being hit by a pitch on the right knee in the top of the seventh inning. Springer, Blue Jays’ designated hitter, remained on the ground for a few minutes after Seattle Mariners’ right-handed pitcher Bryan Woo hit him with a sinker on a 1-1 count.

He has a contusion on his right knee. He had X-rays, which were negative, which is good.

John Schneider, Manager of the Blue Jays

Blue Jays manager John Schneider commented that Springer is a very tough player and would probably need to be suffering a lot to not be in the lineup on Sunday. Springer was booed by Mariners fans throughout the series, and again when he limped to first base, where Joey Loperfido replaced him as a pinch runner.

I think the fans who booed him should look in the mirror and understand what kind of player he is. And I’ll stop there because when a player is hit in the knee and is in obvious pain and you have 40,000 people cheering, it’s not right.

John Schneider, Manager of the Blue Jays

Previously in the game, Springer hit a double against Matt Brash, tying the score. This was Springer’s 42nd extra-base hit of his postseason career, breaking the tie with David Ortiz for fifth all-time. Furthermore, it was his sixth consecutive playoff game with an extra-base hit, one short of tying the record shared by Bryce Harper (2022), Carlos Beltrán (2004), and Devon White (1993). The Blue Jays are down 3-2 in the best-of-seven series against the Mariners. Game 6 will be played on Sunday.