When George Springer fouled off a 95 mph fastball from Justin Wrobleski in the top of the seventh inning of Game 3 of the 2025 World SeriesDodger Stadium, he didn’t just stop swinging—he stopped playing. The Toronto Blue Jays’ veteran designated hitter clutched his right side, grimaced, and walked off the field without another word. No bang. No collision. Just pain. And now, with the Blue Jays trailing the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-1 in the series, his absence could be catastrophic.
Game 3: A Painful Exit Amid Chaos
It happened at 8:42 PM PDT on October 27, 2025. Springer, 36, had already gone 0-for-3 with two strikeouts. He’d been booed every time he stepped to the plate—not just for his performance, but for his past. As the 2017 World Series MVP with the Houston Astros, he’s forever tied to the sign-stealing scandal that still haunts Dodger Stadium. The crowd didn’t care if he was hurt. They just wanted him gone. Then came the pitch. Wrobleski’s four-seamer, tailing away, caught the end of Springer’s bat. He swung hard—and immediately collapsed into a crouch, hand locked over his ribs. John Schneider, the Blue Jays’ manager, didn’t hesitate. He sent trainer Nate Lucero out. After 45 seconds of Springer shaking his head and pointing to his side, he walked straight to the clubhouse. No attempt to jog. No grimace-to-smile routine. Just silence. Ty France took over, struck out on eight pitches. The inning ended. The damage was done.Springer’s Injury History: A Body Breaking Down
This wasn’t the first time Springer’s body betrayed him in October. Just six days earlier, on October 25, he was hit by a pitch on the right hand from Yoshinobu Yamamoto. He stayed in. Two days before that, he took a 97 mph fastball off the kneecap from Andrés Muñoz in Seattle. Still played. But this? This felt different. The location—right side, below the ribs—matches the classic signs of an oblique strain. And those don’t heal fast. Not in October. Not in a 18-inning marathon that ended at 1:17 AM. Schneider confirmed post-game that Springer was sent for an MRI. "We’ll see how it comes back," he said. "It sucks. He’s obviously a huge part of our lineup. Glad I got him out when I did. Hopefully, it didn’t make anything worse." That’s the quiet desperation of a manager who knows his team’s best hitter might be done. Springer entered the series with a .697 OPS—highest on the team. He had three homers and eight RBIs in 13 postseason games. His three-run shot in Game 7 of the ALCS against Seattle? That was the difference. Without him, the Blue Jays’ offense looks like a car missing a cylinder.The Dodgers’ Edge: A Team Built to Outlast
The Dodgers didn’t just win Game 3—they survived it. Eighteen innings. 56,000 fans screaming until their throats were raw. Blake Treinen closed it out after 4.2 innings of relief. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette fought through injuries to tie the game, but the Dodgers had depth. The Blue Jays? They’re running on fumes. Bichette, 27, played through a left knee injury that visibly limited his range. Guerrero, 26, was the only one who could still swing with authority. But Springer’s absence? That’s the real threat. The Blue Jays’ lineup was built around his power, his patience, his ability to turn a 0-2 count into a game-changer. Without him, they’re left hoping Lourdes Gurriel Jr. or Isaiah Kiner-Falefa can magically replicate his production. Good luck with that.
What’s Next: Game 4 and the Clock Is Ticking
Game 4 is scheduled for Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at 8:08 PM PDT at Dodger Stadium. The MRI results won’t be ready until midday. If it’s a mild strain, Springer might try to play through it. If it’s moderate to severe? He’s done. And the Blue Jays are down 2-1. No room for error. No margin for hope. The irony? Springer knew this was coming. In a pre-game interview, he said: "Nobody on the field is playing a hundred percent. It’s not just you. And at the end of the day, I don’t really think anybody cares." He was right. Nobody cares about the pain. Only the results. And right now, the results are bleak.Historical Weight: The Ghosts of 2017
Let’s not pretend the booing was just about October 2025. It was about October 2017. Springer, then with Houston, was the face of a team that cheated its way to a title. He never admitted to participating in the sign-stealing scheme, but he was named in the MLB report. He never got suspended. The Dodgers never forgot. And now, every time he steps into the box, the stadium becomes a courtroom. A silent verdict: You won, but you didn’t earn it. That’s the emotional weight he carries. And now, his body is breaking down under it.Frequently Asked Questions
How serious is George Springer’s injury, and what’s the recovery timeline?
Initial signs point to a right oblique strain, which typically requires 4-6 weeks of recovery. If confirmed, Springer would be ruled out for the remainder of the World Series. Even a mild strain could sideline him for 10-14 days, making his return for Game 4 unlikely. The MRI results, expected Tuesday morning, will determine whether it’s a grade 1 (minor) or grade 2 (moderate) tear.
Who will replace Springer in the Blue Jays’ lineup for Game 4?
Ty France, who took over for Springer in Game 3, is the most likely replacement as DH. But France is a contact hitter, not a power threat—Springer’s 3 home runs in the series are a huge void. Manager John Schneider may also rotate Lourdes Gurriel Jr. or Isaiah Kiner-Falefa into the DH spot, but none match Springer’s .267 postseason average or his ability to drive in runs with two strikes.
Why is the Dodger Stadium crowd still booing Springer?
Springer was the 2017 World Series MVP for the Houston Astros, whose championship was later exposed as built on illegal electronic sign-stealing. Though he wasn’t disciplined by MLB, he was named in the official report as a key participant. Dodgers fans, still bitter over losing that series, view him as a symbol of the scandal. The booing isn’t just about 2025—it’s about unresolved justice.
What’s the impact on the Blue Jays’ chances in the series?
With Springer out, Toronto’s offense loses its most consistent threat. He had a .697 OPS in the series and delivered the go-ahead homer in Game 7 of the ALCS. Without him, the Blue Jays’ lineup becomes predictable. They’re already down 2-1. If they lose Game 4, they face elimination on Wednesday. Their bullpen, already taxed from the 18-inning Game 3, can’t afford another late-game collapse.
Has Springer ever missed a postseason game due to injury before?
No. Springer has started all 13 postseason games in 2025 despite two prior injuries: a right knee contusion from October 21 and a right hand injury from October 25. He’s known for playing through pain, which makes this exit even more alarming. If he’s not available for Game 4, it’s the first time he’s been physically unable to take the field in October.
How does this affect the Dodgers’ strategy going into Game 4?
The Dodgers can now pitch more aggressively to the rest of the Blue Jays’ lineup, knowing Springer won’t be there to punish mistakes. They’ll likely load up on left-handed pitchers to target Toronto’s weaker right-handed hitters. With Springer gone, their path to a title just got significantly easier. They’ve already shown they can outlast teams in extra innings—now they’ve lost their toughest opponent.