George Springer injury update: Blue Jays slugger sits out twinbill after beaning
BALTIMORE - Toronto Blue Jays outfielder George Springer was struck in the head by a 96 mph pitch in the ninth inning and lay motionless for about a minute before regaining his faculties and exiting the Camden Yards field on Monday, July 28.
Springer, 35, was struck by a pitch thrown by Baltimore Orioles rookie right-hander Kade Strowd. The pitch came up and in on Springer and struck him in the left ear flap of his batting helmet, which was knocked several feet away as Springer crumpled to the ground.
Springer eventually rose to his knees and after about two minutes was on his feet.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Springer was fortunate that the pitch struck his shoulder and then his helmet, lessening the blow to the head. He said Springer was communicative with him and a trainer as he lay face down in the batter’s box.
Springer was being evaluated by a Blue Jays doctor after the game. He was not in the lineup for either game of their July 29 doubleheader at Baltimore, but remains on the active roster.
"Thankfully, he was able to turn a little bit, too," says Schneider. "That's the worst part of baseball, for any side, when a pitch gets thrown that high. You don't think about baseball, you think about the human. It's scary, it happens, it sucks.
"He was alert the whole time. Which is a good thing. But you hate to see that happen to anyone at any time."
Schneider said after the Blue Jays' 16-4 loss in Game 1 of their doubleheader that Springer was "hour-to-hour," and continuing to get assessed for concussion symptoms. Schneider was unsure if Springer would play in Game 2, and was not in the starting lineup.
The Blue Jays are already missing All-Star catcher Alejandro Kirk, who is on the seven-day concussion injured list, but trending toward a weekend return.
Springer is enjoying a renaissance season, batting .291 with 18 homers and an .889 OPS.
Strowd completed the ninth inning to finish the Orioles' 11-4 victory.
This story has been updated with new information.