Blue Jays outfielder George Springer to start rehab assignment with Bisons

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder George Springer will start a minor-league rehab assignment Tuesday, the next step in his return from a strained right quadriceps that has kept him out of the lineup for much of the season.

Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said on a video conference Monday before the Blue Jays’ game at Boston that Springer will join Toronto’s triple-A affiliate, the Buffalo Bisons, for their game Tuesday night in Rochester, N.Y.

Montoyo said there is no timetable yet on when Springer could rejoin the Blue Jays.

Springer signed a team-record US$150 million, six-year deal with the Blue Jays this off-season but didn’t make his season debut until April 28 because of two separate injuries, first a strained oblique muscle and later the quadriceps injury.

He played four games as a designated hitter before reaggravating the quadriceps injury and returning to the injured list.

Montoyo also said pitcher Steven Matz has been placed on the COIVD-19-releated injury list and is isolating after testing positive for the illness. He said the rest of the team returned negative tests.

Montoyo said Matz is not currently showing any symptoms.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 14, 2021.

The Canadian Press