George Springer reveals why he is still out of Blue Jays lineup

Springer said he does not want to go out there, adjust his running, and risk setting off a leg muscle or his back just to compensate for the toe. That is the whole injury story in 1 line.

Toronto's concern is not only the left big toe fracture anymore. It is everything that can happen if a veteran player starts moving differently to protect it.

That is why Springer's quote landed. He is not saying the toe has to feel perfect. He is saying his body has to move normally again, and until it does, the Blue Jays are right to hold him back.

He has been progressing. Last week, MLB.com reported that Springer was already hitting on the field, while other updates showed him adding more throwing and movement work as the club pushed him toward baseball activity.

The next step got even more real Monday. Reports said Springer ran the bases and took live batting practice before Toronto's game against Boston, but he still remained out of the lineup.

That is the part worth paying attention to now. Springer's own words match what MLB.com already reported: the Blue Jays are trying to prevent a secondary injury caused by overcompensating for the fractured toe.

For a 36-year-old regular, that matters a lot. A player can gut through toe pain for a night. A strained hamstring, calf, or back from altered movement can cost a lot more time. That is exactly what Springer is trying to avoid.

Toronto also has reason to be patient because this injury started only 2 weeks ago. Springer left the April 11 game against Minnesota after fouling a ball off his left foot, and the Blue Jays later confirmed the fracture.

The lineup has felt his absence. Springer had opened the season as a regular top-of-the-order piece, and Toronto has been patching around that spot while waiting for him to clear these final movement tests.

That is what makes his quote useful. It was not dramatic, and it was not vague. Springer basically spelled out that the Blue Jays are waiting for normal movement, not just toughness.

And that is probably the smartest path available. George Springer clearly wants back in the lineup, but until he can run without changing the rest of his body, John Schneider and the Blue Jays are going to keep playing the long game.