DUNEDIN, FL - MARCH 08: George Springer #4 of the Toronto Blue Jays looks on during the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Toronto Blue Jays at TD Ballpark on Sunday, March 8, 2026 in Dunedin, Florida. (Photo by Alex Zadorozny/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
The Toronto Blue Jays opened their series against the Los Angeles Angels with a win on Monday, earning their second victory in a row as they look to turn the early season around.
The team has been working to overcome some injury problems within the first few weeks of the season, trying to stay afloat as key pieces like Anthony Santander, Cody Ponce, Shane Bieber and Alejandro Kirk sit on the injured list.
MORE FROM FORBESPhillies’ Kyle Schwarber Sends Injury Update After Roster MoveBy Peter Chawaga
And Monday brought another kind of win amid those struggles for the team, as manager John Schnieder offered a positive update on injured slugger George Springer.
“George Springer is throwing for the first time since breaking his toe, joking that ‘pain is my sixth sense,’” Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi reported on X, formerly Twitter. “He’ll also do ‘dynamic warm up and mobility stuff,’ said John Schneider, ahead of possible running this week. ‘It would be great if he was ready on Friday.’”
A return later this week would put Springer in line to join the team for their next series, which will come against the Cleveland Guardians. And the veteran would certainly be a welcomed sight at the top of the batting order, as he’s a reigning Silver Slugger Award winner and served as a significant offensive catalyst during the Blue Jays’ World Series run last year.
MORE FROM FORBESDodgers Make Roki Sasaki Decision After Star Pitcher’s Elbow Surgery SetbackBy Peter Chawaga
Though it’s still early in the season, the Blue Jays would like to see their team closer to full strength and to start building up some momentum in the standings. Going into Tuesday, the team sits in last place in the American League East division with a losing record, while the New York Yankees threaten to run away with the division title.
Monday’s win marked a positive change for the team and Springer’s potential return by the end of the week would be another one. As they look to return to the World Series after a harsh loss last year, the Blue Jays will be hoping that the first few weeks of the season included the worst of their injury updates for the year.
"If you try to map out the course of a six-, seven-month season, these things are going to happen," Schneider said after Springer joined the long list of players on the injured list, according to the Associated Press. "It's just really unfortunate and weird that these things have happened within the first couple of weeks of the season, but I want the guys to just kind of continue to say, 'OK, what can we do now?'"
This article was originally published on Forbes.com