Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
George Springer is officially "back," and for the first time in a long time, he sounds like the superstar we paid for.
John Schneider just dropped the most reassuring quote of the entire offseason regarding his veteran outfielder.
After a 2025 season plagued by a laundry list of nagging injuries—knee soreness, oblique issues, and a previously under-reported right wrist problem—Springer is finally healthy.
The wrist discomfort, which quietly dogged him as the year progressed, significantly impacted his throwing and overall explosion.
But according to the skipper, the offseason rest has worked wonders, and Springer is ready to roam the outfield "whenever we need him."
This is a massive development because a healthy Springer changes the entire complexion of this lineup.
Along with some knee & oblique soreness, George Springer was dealing w/ right wrist discomfort as 2025 progressed. That impacted his throwing, but the off-season helped Springer recover according to John Schneider, who says “he’s going to be out (in the OF) whenever we need him”
Springer (Signed as Free Agent, 2021) is entering the final year of his contract, and he has every incentive to go out with a bang.
We saw flashes of his old self in the playoffs, but the injuries clearly limited his ceiling.
A healthy Springer is the ultimate X-factor for 2026
If he can return to being a dynamic presence at the top of the order, it takes a mountain of pressure off Vladdy and Bo.
The fact that he was dealing with wrist issues explains so much about his inconsistent power and arm strength last year.
Now that he’s recovered, we might actually see the version of Springer who can change a game with his glove and his bat.
Schneider’s confidence in playing him in the outfield suggests the team isn't just viewing him as a full-time DH anymore.
This flexibility is crucial for roster construction, allowing guys like Anthony Santander (or his replacement) to rotate through the DH spot.
It’s been a while since fans felt genuinely optimistic about #4, but this update is a breath of fresh air.
He’s the spark plug of this team, and when he’s going right, the Blue Jays are nearly impossible to stop.
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