Blue Jays' George Springer to play intrasquad game Friday

Toronto Blue Jays star George Springer will play centre field in an intrasquad game on Friday as the team’s marquee off-season signing continues to work his way back from a low-grade quad strain.

Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins told reporters on Thursday that Springer is doing all baseball activities and is “extremely confident and strong” ahead of the instrasquad game.

“Now it’s just a matter of recovery and putting him in a position to play nine innings and feel like he can face elite major-league pitching,” Atkins said. “Very encouraged by where he is, he’s super excited about tomorrow, and tomorrow will be a very important day to determine what that next step is and what’s best for him, best for the team.”

Springer, who signed a six-year, $150-million deal with the Blue Jays in the off-season, has yet to play in the regular season due to an oblique strain and the quad injury.

In addition to the Springer update, Atkins had multiple injury updates during Thursday’s media availability.

• Pitcher Nate Pearson, who has been dealing with a groin injury, will throw in Friday’s intrasquad game but is still a couple of weeks away from a return.

• Teoscar Hernandez, currently on the COVID-related injury list, has a clearance test on Friday after which he can return to the team’s facilities and begin baseball activities.

• Relievers Tyler Chatwood and Jordan Romano are expected to be activated from the injured list on Friday and Saturday, respectively.

• Starting pitcher Ross Stripling is throwing off a mound on Thursday and “could be back in the mix in days” after suffering a forearm injury.

• Right-hander Julian Merryweather will not be throwing for a couple of weeks as he deals with an oblique injury but Atkins is “not too discouraged” by the injury.

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