David SchoenfieldOct 17, 2025, 08:43 PM ET
- Covers MLB for ESPN.com
- Former deputy editor of Page 2
- Been with ESPN.com since 1995
SEATTLE -- Toronto's George Springer, one of the most prolific hitters in postseason history, left Friday's Game 5 of the American League Championship Series after getting hit by a pitch on his right kneecap in the top of the seventh inning.
Springer, the designated hitter for the Blue Jays, sprawled on the dirt for a couple of minutes after Seattle Mariners right-hander Bryan Woo hit him with a 1-1 sinker that kept riding in and hit Springer.
"He's got a right knee contusion. He had X-rays, which were negative, which is a good thing," Blue Jays manager John Schneider said after his team's 6-2 loss. "George is about as tough as they come. I think he'll have to really, really be hurting to not be in the lineup on Sunday."
Springer, who has been heartily booed all series by Mariners fans, was booed again as he limped to first base, where Joey Loperfido replaced him as the pinch runner.
"I think the fans that were booing him should take a look in the mirror and understand what kind of player he is," Schneider said. "And -- I'll stop there, because when a guy gets hit in the knee and is in obvious pain and you have 40,000 people cheering, not the right thing to do."
Earlier in the game, Springer hit a score-tying RBI double off Matt Brash, his 42nd career extra-base hit in the postseason, breaking a tie with David Ortiz for fifth most all time.
It was his sixth consecutive game with an extra-base hit in the playoffs, one away from tying the record shared by Bryce Harper (2022), Carlos Beltran (2004) and Devon White (1993).
The Blue Jays trail the Mariners 3-2 in the best-of-seven series. Game 6 is Sunday.
