Jays drop another game to Twins after losing Springer to IL
The Toronto Blue Jays lost their second game in a row to the Minnesota Twins on Saturday after placing outfielder George Springer on the injured list with elbow inflammation earlier in the day.
Toronto recalled infielder Otto Lopez in a corresponding move.
Deadline acquisition Whit Merrifield started in center field for Saturday's 7-3 loss. He went 1-for-3 before Raimel Tapia pinch hit for the utility man in the eighth inning and took over defensively the following frame.
Merrifield also started in center Friday against the Twins. He eventually moved to second base, and Bradley Zimmer took over at Springer's natural position.
Springer has gotten regular maintenance days off since late July with the elbow ailment. The 32-year-old initially underwent tests for elbow discomfort in late June. He is slated to receive an anti-inflammatory injection as treatment within the next 24 hours.
The four-time All-Star is hitting .251/.331/.464 with 18 homers and 10 steals while appearing in 89 of 107 games in 2022. This is Springer's first time on the IL this season, and the move is retroactive to Aug. 5.
Springer hasn't appeared in center field since July 28, acting as the designated hitter in two games since then.
Lopez, 23, has played one contest at the major-league level this year but hasn't made a plate appearance. He's hitting .267/.357/.424 with three homers and 10 steals in 23 games with Triple-A Buffalo.