Toronto Blue Jay George Springer, centre, left Game 3 of the World Series with an injury during the seventh inning on Monday.Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press
George Springer is so dinged up he’s being held together “with duct tape,” Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider said during the World Series.
He took a fastball off the knee in the Game 5 of the ALCS against the Seattle Mariners. He took another fastball, at 96 miles-per-hour from L.A. starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto, off the wrist in Game 2 of the World Series.
Then Springer exited Monday’s Game 3 at Dodger Stadium after he injured himself following through on a swing. He was sent for an MRI, and was not in the lineup for Tuesday’s game.
“Whenever this season is over, you’ll be surprised to see how much he’s grinding physically,” Schneider said. “If he’s good to go in any way shape or form, I want him in the lineup.”
Springer kneels after being hit by a pitch in Game 2 of the World Series on Saturday.Nathan Denette/The Associated Press
Springer, who hit the home run that sent the Blue Jays to the World Series, is the team’s leadoff man and one of its most consistent producers. As long as he is absent from lineup, it is a huge loss for the Blue Jays.
It is a truism that during the playoffs, everyone is worn down and banged up, and how could they not be? Pro sports is a grind. The baseball regular season is 162 games, travelling from city-to-city across the United States (and one city in Canada) for half of a year with three or four days off a month. If you were in tech sales, that schedule would be punishing, forget professional sports.
I’m playing hurt after typing a few words while watching the seven-hour marathon Game 3 Monday night from the auxiliary press box (the left field upper deck) at Dodger Stadium. Which is why it’s hard for me to imagine how challenging it might’ve been for players on both sides to suit up again for Game 4 less than a day later.
“Definitely sore, and body’s tired,” said Dodgers reliever Will Klein, who pitched four innings in Game 3.
He praised Will Smith, who caught the entire game in arguably the most physically demanding position on the field, outside of pitching.
Davis Schneider, right, is tagged out at home by Will Smith of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the 10th inning in Game 3 of the World Series.Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
“Will caught 18 innings and he’s going to go out there and catch again today somehow,” Klein said. “I mean, it’s the World Series, it could be your last game of the year, so you just find ways to not be sore and tired and just keep going.”
Smith might’ve had the most challenging job of the night Monday, but no one’s workload can compare to that of Shohei Ohtani, Game 4’s pitcher, who will also appear in his regular spot as designated hitter. The Dodgers superstar has a workload like none other.
As the game’s only two-way player, Ohtani has to manage his role as DH on a day-to-day basis, while concurrently working toward starting on the mound every fifth day, and carrying all the additional responsibilities that come with it.
While he may not be expansive during his interviews (Ohtani is Japanese and does his English press availabilities through an interpreter) rarely does Ohtani complain about the workload. He’s shown remarkable durability, playing 1,033 games over his eight-year career.
“He’s in great shape, very well-conditioned,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I expect him to be ready. This guy is a different kind of athlete and a different brain.”