George Springer is as tough as they come, and he’s one of many like that from the Toronto Blue Jays.

During Thursday’s end-of-season press conference, general manager Ross Atkins confirmed that Springer sustained a right oblique injury in Los Angeles during Game 3 of the World Series, with his MRI revealing “significant inflammation” but no tear.

Springer somehow made it through the final two games of this year’s Fall Classic against the Dodgers after injuring his oblique, departing almost midway through the 18-inning marathon. He left the contest in the seventh after fouling off the first pitch of the at-bat with one of his vicious body-twisting swings, immediately signalling for the club’s training staff.

Springer, even while playing hurt, remained one of the Blue Jays’ best hitters from the regular season — where he led the team in home runs (32), SLG (.560), stolen bases (18) and wRC+ (166), all in his age-35 season — into the post-season. Over 16 playoff games, the right-handed slugger hit four home runs — including his series-clinching blast in Game 7 of the ALCS — and drove in 10 runs, slashing .284/.347/.552 with a 147 wRC+.

The 36-year-old DH, coming off one of the top offensive performances of his 12-year MLB career, will be entering the final season of his six-year, $150-million contract with the franchise in 2026.

Atkins also provided injury updates on other players, revealing the team isn’t expecting anyone to require off-season surgery. He added that José Berríos should enjoy a “completely normal off-season” and be ready for spring training after finishing this season on the injured list with a right elbow injury.

The 31-year-old starter — who only resumed playing catch during this past post-season — will be looking to rebound from a disappointing 2025 campaign that featured a 4.17 ERA and 4.65 FIP, along with an eight per cent walk rate (third-highest of his career) and a 19.8 per cent strikeout rate. He also saw his consecutive start streak snapped, failing to reach the 32-start mark for the seventh straight year — excluding the shortened ’20 season.

It’ll be an intriguing year for Berríos, who can opt out of his seven-year, $131-million extension next off-season.