Toronto Blue Jays outfielder George Springer will be sitting out of the lineup for the first time this season due to illness, as confirmed by manager John Schneider. Bo Bichette will take over at the top of the Toronto lineup, while Cavan Biggio will step in at right field.
Springer, 34, has been batting .219/.337/.329 this season with two home runs, four RBIs, and three stolen bases. He has been a regular starter in right field for the Blue Jays, except for two games where he served as the designated hitter. Biggio, on the other hand, has been performing well with a slash line of .292/.370/.417, one home run, and five RBIs in 16 games.
With Bichette moving to the leadoff position, Justin Turner will now bat third, and Davis Schneider will be in the clean-up spot. The Blue Jays will have Cuban right-hander Yariel Rodriguez on the mound for his second career start as they begin a series against the Padres in San Diego. Rodriguez will face off against Padres’ knuckleballer Matt Waldron.
The game can be watched on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ at 9:30 p.m. ET and 6:30 p.m. PT.
