Jays slugger Springer not starting Game 4, Bichette to serve as designated hitter

By Canadian Press on October 28, 2025.

LOS ANGELES — Toronto Blue Jays slugger George Springer was not in the starting lineup for Game 4 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday after suffering an injury to his right side a night earlier.

Bo Bichette replaced Springer as designated hitter and was slotted third in the batting order. Nathan Lukes moved up a spot to the leadoff position and Addison Barger was in the cleanup spot.

Speaking during a pre-game media availability, Blue Jays manager John Schneider said he considered a couple different versions of the lineup as he wanted to give Springer – who he called ‘hour to hour’ and ‘day to day’ – some extra time.

“If he’s good to go in any way, shape or form, I want George in there,” Schneider said.

He added there were no plans to take Springer off the roster and that he’d be on the bench if he wasn’t in the lineup.

Springer left in the seventh inning of Toronto’s 6-5, 18-inning loss in Game 3 on Monday. After fouling off a pitch, he called for a trainer to come out and left the game after a brief discussion.

Schneider didn’t reveal specifics from Springer’s MRI exam.

Toronto’s Shane Bieber was scheduled to start Game 4 against two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani. The Dodgers have a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Springer hit .309 this past season with 32 homers and 84 RBIs. He entered Game 4 with a post-season average of .246 with four homers and nine RBIs.

Rookie Trey Yesavage was tabbed to start Game 5 on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. Los Angeles planned to send Blake Snell to the mound.

If necessary, Game 6 in the best-of-seven series would be played Friday at Rogers Centre.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 28, 2025.

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press