Justin Turner and George Springer will return to the Toronto Blue Jays lineup in the second game of their series against the Seattle Mariners.
The Blue Jays announced that the designated hitter has been reinstated from paternity list after missing three games. In a corresponding move, infielder Addison Barger has been optioned to triple-A Buffalo.
Manager John Schneider told reporters before the game that, though not in the starting lineup, Turner may be available for the Blue Jays off the bench.
Springer was not a part of the lineup for the series opener. He has struggled hitting .216/.305/.347 with nine home runs and 28 RBI.
The Blue Jays also announced that left-handed reliever Tim Mayza cleared waivers and is now a free agent.
Turner, 39, is slashing .250/.359/.375 with five home runs, 15 doubles and 27 RBIs after signing a one-year contract with Toronto this off-season.
The two-time all-star has heated up as of late, posting a .321 average in June.
Barger, 24, is slashing .150/.177/.183 with nine hits and four RBI since joining the big club in mid-June. He’s struggled of late, collecting just one hit in his past 15 at-bats.
The Blue Jays look to even the series against the Mariners when they take to the field on Saturday. Watch the game live at 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
The Toronto Blue Jays received some good news as they welcomed back two key players to their lineup. Third baseman Trea Turner has returned from the paternity list, while outfielder George Springer is back in the lineup after dealing with a quad injury.
Turner, who was acquired by the Blue Jays in a trade with the Washington Nationals earlier this season, has been a solid contributor both offensively and defensively. His return provides a boost to the team’s infield depth and adds another dynamic bat to the lineup. Turner’s versatility allows him to play multiple positions, giving manager Charlie Montoyo more options when setting his lineup.
Springer, on the other hand, has been plagued by injuries since signing a massive contract with the Blue Jays in the offseason. The former World Series MVP has played in just 49 games this season, but his presence in the lineup is crucial for Toronto’s success. When healthy, Springer is one of the most dangerous hitters in baseball and provides a much-needed power threat in the middle of the lineup.
The return of Turner and Springer couldn’t come at a better time for the Blue Jays, who are currently in the thick of a tight playoff race. With just a few weeks left in the regular season, every game is crucial for Toronto as they look to secure a postseason berth. Having two key players back in the lineup will undoubtedly give the team a much-needed boost as they push for a playoff spot.
The Blue Jays are set to face off against the Seattle Mariners in a crucial series that could have major implications on their playoff hopes. Having Turner and Springer back in the lineup gives Toronto a better chance of coming out on top in these important games.
Overall, the return of Turner and Springer is great news for the Blue Jays and their fans. With these two key players back in action, Toronto’s lineup looks even more formidable and their chances of making a deep playoff run have been significantly boosted. It will be exciting to see how Turner and Springer perform down the stretch as the Blue Jays look to secure a spot in the postseason.