The longer George Springer goes without a hit, the more the frustration seems to build for the Blue Jays’ former leadoff hitter.
After another 0-for-4 night on Tuesday against the Baltimore Orioles (with a pair of strikeouts), the Jays right fielder has not recorded a hit in his past 34 at bats.
The run of ineptitude has Springer just one out away from the longest hitless streak in franchise history. That mark is shared by current Jays catcher, Danny Jansen, who went 35 at-bats without a rap in 2021 and Ed Sprague, who slumped his way to the mark in 1994.
When the team returned from a West Coast trip last week, manager John Schneider bumped Springer from the leadoff position, moving him to fifth in the order. The skipper gave the former World Series MVP an off day on Monday as a normally scheduled break.
“He’s fine, he’s good,” Schneider said on Monday. “George is such a huge part of our team and such an accomplished player. Right now he just wants to go out and win.
“I don’t think frustrated is the right word. He’s just battling. What I’ve seen the last week is a huge bat going forward.”
The sooner the better for a Jays offence that could use some pop, especially with shortstop Bo Bichette out due to injury.
The Jays return to action on Wednesday night at the Rogers Centre looking to avoid losing the first three of a four-game series against the American East-leading Orioles.
