The 35-year-old has been out since being hit by a pitch in the head on July 28. He was placed on the seven-day concussion injured list on Aug. 1, and was originally expected to return to action with triple-A Buffalo on either Tuesday or Wednesday.
However, Springer, who’s currently with the Bisons as he prepares for a brief rehab stint, has yet to join Buffalo’s starting lineup.
“He’s feeling better every day,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said during an appearance on Blair and Barker on Friday. “He’s hitting, running, today he’s taking fly balls off a bat in the outfield. As soon as he can get clearance from the MLB, [he’ll] probably play in a game, see how he feels and go from there.”
Although the Blue Jays set a franchise record for runs and hits in a three-game series during their trip to Denver from Monday to Wednesday, Springer’s bat will add another layer of depth to the lineup.
In 101 games, he’s slashing .291/.383/.506 with 57 RBIs and is tied for a team-high with 18 home runs.
Schneider added that second baseman Andres Giménez, another rehabbing Blue Jay who’s been out since July 4 with an ankle sprain, will play five to seven innings Friday for triple-A Buffalo.
Meanwhile, high-priced off-season signing Anthony Santander is in Florida, but has yet to resume swinging. “I think he’s close to hitting, but no real update there, but he’s feeling better,” Schneider said.
Santander has been out of the lineup with a shoulder injury since May 29. The 30-year-old has played in just 50 games this season, hitting .179 with six homers and 18 RBIs.
On the pitching side, starter Shane Bieber will pitch Saturday for triple-A Buffalo, and the goal is to reach 70-75 pitches. The Blue Jays’ prized trade deadline acquisition hasn’t played an MLB game this season as he rehabs from Tommy John surgery, but is getting close to joining the rotation.
Schneider added that the ultimate goal is for Bieber to feel comfortable throwing 80-85 pitches, and that he’ll most likely get one more rehab start before discussing the next steps.
