Espinal returns to Blue Jays lineup for Game 2, Springer remains in centre field

Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Satiago Espinal ducks away from a high, inside pitch from Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Dean Kremer in fourth inning American League baseball action in Toronto on Tuesday, August 16, 2022. (Jon Blacker/CP)

Infielder Santiago Espinal will return to the Blue Jays lineup for Game 2 of their AL Wild Card series against the Seattle Mariners, the team confirmed Saturday morning.

Espinal will start at second base, the first game for the 27-year-old Dominican since suffering an oblique sprain.

Whit Merrifield will move from second base to left field, meaning Raimel Tapia has been scratched from the Jays' Game 2 starting lineup.

George Springer will remain in the lineup and start in centre field. The 33-year-old was hit by a pitch from Luis Castillo in the eighth inning. He underwent X-rays Friday evening, which came back negative, and the outfielder is now poised to help his team force an all-decisive Game 3.

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