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How the Blue Jays should construct their lineup if George Springer misses extended time
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Photo credit: Toronto Blue Jays, George Springer, Eloy Jimenez, Davis Schneider
Ben Wrixon
Apr 12, 2026, 09:17 EDT
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The injury bug is hungry and won’t stop biting the Toronto Blue Jays. 
George Springer is the latest victim. He suffered a fractured toe after fouling a ball off his foot during Saturday’s 7-4 loss to the Minnesota Twins. Whether he’ll require a stint on the injured list is still being determined, but he’ll be in pain for a while. All signs are pointing to Springer landing on the IL.
If Springer is indeed out long-term—which is the most likely scenario—then the Blue Jays have quite the lineup puzzle on their hands with him, Addison Barger, and Alejandro Kirk all sidelined. Replacing their production will be impossible, but they have to try. 
Finding someone to occupy Springer’s usual leadoff spot is the first challenge. 
Davis Schneider is one possibility, especially against left-handed pitchers and righties without high-velocity fastballs. He’s the best Blue Jay at drawing walks not named Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and getting on base is a leadoff hitter’s main job. His tendency to see a lot of pitches in his plate appearances also plays well atop the lineup.
Andrés Giménez is another option against right-handers, given his contact ability and speed threat. He’s more of a traditional leadoff hitter in that sense. However, it’s fair to wonder how much of his early-season success is attributable to feeling less pressure while hitting lower in the order—desperate times call for desperate measures, though. 
Ernie Clement could also be considered against left-handed pitchers, given his extensive track record of hitting them extremely well. However, he’s the anti-Schneider in the sense that he’s walked just 1.9% of the time so far this year. He’s probably better suited as a sparkplug lower in the order rather than setting the tone to start the game. 
Regardless of who the Blue Jays choose to bat leadoff, the corresponding move on the defensive side should be to give Jesús Sánchez more time as the designated hitter. This will allow whichever of Myles Straw or Nathan Lukes is playing to help the pitching staff by providing value defensively. Bonus if either of them can get a hit or two. The club could also bring up Eloy Jimenez from the minor leagues, where he would be the club’s DH as well, while playing emergency defense in the outfield as necessary. 
So, with all that being said, the Blue Jays’ best lineup sans Springer could look like:
  1. Schneider – LF
  2. Varsho – CF
  3. Guerrero – 1B
  4. Sánchez/Jimenez – DH
  5. Okamaoto – 3B
  6. Lukes – RF
  7. Clement – 2B
  8. Giménez – SS
  9. Valenzuela – C
Hardly the starting nine the team envisioned when it broke camp. The top five will have to do much of the heavy lifting—if there ever was a time for Guerrero to go on one of his blazing hot streaks, it’s now. Okamoto, who has been scuffling, will also need to get back on track and start delivering in spots with runners on base.
Barger should be back soon, with Kirk and Springer returning to health in the weeks that follow. Anthony Santander could be back at some point this summer, too. But for now, the Blue Jays will have to at least tread water with who they have. 

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