George Springer will hit lead-off and start in right field for the Toronto Blue Jays Friday in the series-opener against the Seattle Mariners.
Springer was lifted from Wednesday's game against the Chicago White Sox with a contusion in his right hand after being hit by a pitch, but x-rays came back negative. Now, after an off-day to rest, he will return to his normal spot in the lineup.
"He's feeling better," manager John Schneider said Friday on Blair and Barker. "We're just going to kind of see how he is today and make a decision, you know, for his availability.
"Yesterday was a real good step in the right direction in terms of how he felt to the day before, so we'll have an update once we get over to the ballpark."
In 25 games, Springer is slashing .216/.283/.320 with three home runs and nine RBIs.
Blue Jays infielder Santiago Espinal suffered the same injury after being hit on the hand by a fastball last Saturday and was able to return four days later.
The Blue Jays are set to host the Mariners in an AL wild-card rematch. Watch the action on Sportsnet and Sportsnet NOW at 7:07 p.m. ET / 4:07 p.m. PT.
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