George Springer 'Hopefully' Plays Blue Jays-Dodgers Game 6 amid Injury, Manager Says

Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer exited Monday's loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 3 of the World Series and has since missed Games 4 and 5 because of strained muscles on his right side.

But the Blue Jays veteran is on track to return for a pivotal Game 6 in Toronto on Friday.

"He was close, and he was ready to come in, and I'm glad we didn't need him and got him an extra couple days," manager John Schneider told reporters. "Hopefully he's good to go (Friday)."

Schneider said that Springer was close to being ready for Game 5, but the team thought it was best to keep him in the dugout.

"He was right on the fence," Schneider said. "I think he probably could have. I was really juggling what's best for him, what's best for the team, not just immediately to start the game, but kind of how that game may unfold too."

As far as what he needs to see before giving Springer the go-ahead for Game 6, Schneider said he needs to be able to go an entire game rather than just an at-bat.

"Just making sure he feels comfortable and confident tomorrow, and not just for one at-bat, to go in and compete and kind of get locked into a game," Schneider said.

In 14 games this postseason, Springer has 14 hits for four home runs, nine RBI and a .246 batting average. He had a Game 7 against the Seattle Mariners in the ALCS, hitting a three-run homer to put the Blue Jays on top in the seventh inning. That home run ended up being the game-winning play.

Toronto won the first game of the series before dropping Games 2 and 3. The Blue Jays have now won back-to-back games to make a 3-2 series, and they'll head back to Toronto to try to close things out on Friday.

Having Springer back in the fold would make securing their first World Series since 1993 a much easier task.