George Springer wasn’t quite ready for Tuesday night.
The Blue Jays star was left out of the starting lineup after he exited Game 3 of the World Series on Monday mid-at-bat in the seventh inning with what the team described as right side discomfort.
Springer fouled off a pitch during the at-bat but walked off the field before Dodgers reliever Justin Wrobleski could throw another pitch.
George Springer, center, walks off the field as he leaves with an injury with manager John Schneider, left, and first assistant athletic trainer Voon Chong, right, during the seventh inning in Game 3 of baseball’s World Series. AP
The Toronto slugger arrived at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday with the intention of getting right for Game 4.
“Getting himself moving and swinging,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said, via Sportsnet. “I think swinging will be the key to determine if he’s in there or not. But he was the 1st one here, a lot of treatment … George is going to do everything he can.”
Nathan Lukes will start in left field and hit leadoff for the Blue Jays in Springer’s absence.
Bo Bichette shifted to the designated hitter spot, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa took over at second base with Springer out.
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Toronto Blue Jays right fielder George Springer (4) talks to manager John Schneider (14) after an injury during the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game three of the 2025 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium. Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
The injury is a major blow to the Blue Jays, who are now down 2-1 in the series after losing a wild 18-inning game on Monday.
During the regular season, Springer, a four-time All-Star, was one of the best hitters in baseball, slashing .309/.399/.560 with 32 home runs.
That continued into the postseason, during which he has hit four home runs with a .932 OPS.
In perhaps some leftover resentment over the 2017 Astros’ sign-stealing scandal, Dodgers fans at the ballpark cheered when Springer was leaving the game, leading to a rebuke from Fox play-by-play announcer Joe Davis.
“That shouldn’t be cheered, ever, under any circumstances, no matter the history,” said Davis, who is also the lead television play-by-play announcer on Dodger broadcasts.