Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider told Postmedia’s Rob Longley on Tuesday that George Springer will hit in the leadoff spot for the remainder of the 2023 season.
Springer was demoted from his usual spot in the order in favour of Whit Merrifield during an unusual cold spell for the outfielder that included an 0-for-35 run at the plate.
“George has been one of the best leadoff hitters in the history of the game,” Schneider told Longley. “It was probably more of an awkward thing to move him out of that than to move him back.”
Springer is second in MLB history with 56 career leadoff home runs trailing only Rickey Henderson’s 81.
The outfielder returned to the top of the order in Monday’s win over the Washington Nationals for the first time since July 27. He went one-for-three with an RBI while also picking up two walks.
Springer is slashing .258/.327/.734 with 17 home runs for the Blue Jays this season.
You can watch Springer and the Blue Jays, who are currently 2.5 games out of a wild-card spot, take on the Nationals on Tuesday live on Sportsnet and SN NOW at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT.