George Springer back in Blue Jays lineup for Game 6 of World Series
Written by The Canadian Press on October 31, 2025
TORONTO — Blue Jays slugger George Springer was back in the starting lineup for Game 6 of the World Series on Friday night at Rogers Centre.
Springer was tabbed to lead off as Toronto hosts the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 36-year-old designated hitter missed two games after leaving Game 3 on Monday in Los Angeles due to discomfort in his right side.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider said rest and treatment have helped Springer, who has been hitting in the cage and doing running drills in recent days.
“I think once you get confirmation that there’s nothing terribly wrong, it’s kind of what can you tolerate?” Schneider said. “He somehow, at age 36, made significant progress in the last 48 hours.”
The Blue Jays hold a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series for Major League Baseball’s championship.
In Game 3, Springer called for a trainer to come out during his at-bat in the seventh inning. He left the game after a brief discussion.
The Blue Jays went on to drop a 6-5 decision in 18 innings before evening the series in Game 4 with a 6-2 win. Springer was in consideration for a pinch-running role in Toronto’s 6-1 win in Game 5 on Wednesday, but wasn’t used.
“There’s a difference between being injured and hurting,” Schneider said. “He’s not injured right now.”
Springer, the World Series MVP with Houston in 2017, had a bounce-back regular season after a down year in 2024. He hit .309 with 32 home runs and 84 runs batted in and entered Game 6 with a .246 average with four homers and nine RBIs in the playoffs.
Springer was also hurt in the American League Championship Series against the Seattle Mariners. He was hit in the right knee by a fastball in Game 5 and left the game.
He returned to the lineup for Game 6 but appeared to be in some discomfort. In the decisive Game 7, Springer hit a go-ahead three-run homer in Toronto’s 4-3 victory.
“He means so much to us,” said teammate Bo Bichette. “I mean, the experience in these moments, what he’s already done for this team during the playoffs has been just so big for us.
“I think having him in the lineup probably calms us all down a little bit.”
If Game 7 in the World Series is required, it will be played Saturday at Rogers Centre. Max Scherzer would start for the Blue Jays.
Toronto hasn’t won the Fall Classic since its last appearance in 1993. The Dodgers are the defending champions.
“Obviously, we know what’s at stake and we have an opportunity to win a World Series, but nothing changes,” said Bichette. “We’ve got to go out there and we’ve got to compete and try and win a game.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 31, 2025.
Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press