The Toronto Blue Jays will be getting some reinforcements for the rest of their four-game series vs. the Chicago White Sox, they just won't be in the form of George Springer.
Manager Charlie Montoyo told reporters that the club's star outfielder won't be activated Wednesday or Thursday as the Blue Jays finish off the latter half of their set vs. the White Sox.
"We've got to make sure he's healthy because if he's not healthy, he might play one game and then he might get hurt again," Montoyo said. "So you have to be patient at the same time.
"But he's the one who knows his body. Whenever he tells you 'OK I'm good to go the way I am right now,' then he'll be active."
However, the Blue Jays' bullpen will get a boost as right-handed reliever Joakim Soria, who has been dealing with right middle finger inflammation, will return from the 10-day injured and be active for Wednesday's game (7:07 p.m. ET / 4:07 p.m. PT start on Sportsnet and SN Now).
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RHP Joakim Soria reinstated from 10-day IL
RHP Connor Overton optioned to Triple-A pic.twitter.com/OVisAau1uU— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) August 25, 2021
Soria, who was sent to Toronto at the trade deadline from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for two players to be named later, made a lone appearance for the Blue Jays, striking out one batter in a scoreless inning of work during a 5-2 loss to Cleveland on Aug. 2.
The 37-year-old has a 1-4 record with a 4.15 ERA and 32 strikeouts across 30.1 innings this season.
Springer, meanwhile, will stretch out his injured knee again Thursday by running the bases, with his earliest potential return being Friday as the Blue Jays kick off a weekend series vs. the Detroit Tigers.
The 31-year-old, who hasn't played since suffering a Grade 1 knee sprain in a collision with an outfield wall vs. the Seattle Mariners on Aug. 14, was eligible to return to the field from the 10-day IL on Wednesday.
Springer's first season in Toronto has been beset by injuries after he signed a six-year, $150-million contract in the off-season, but he had been rounding into all-star form. He was named the American League's player of the week on consecutive occasions on Aug. 2 and Aug. 9.
He is batting .269 with 16 home runs and 35 RBI in over 49 games this season.
With files from The Canadian Press.
