Blue Jays: George Springer’s Offensive Struggles in 2026 Go Beyond His Toe Injury George Springer, the veteran right-handed hitter for the Toronto Blue Jays, has faced a significant downturn in his offensive performance this season, raising concerns about his ability to replicate the success he achieved in 2025. After defying Father Time for much of 2025, Springer has looked his age this season. As of May 13, 2026, he was slashing .209/.287/.330 after picking up two hits during Tuesday’s 7-6 extra-innings loss against the Tampa Bay Rays. His numbers have regressed sharply compared to his 2025 season, when he posted a .959 OPS, 32 home runs, and a career-best .399 on-base percentage. The primary issue plaguing Springer is his fractured toe, which has limited his mobility and affected his ability to hit the ball effectively. Hitting a baseball is already challenging when feeling great, but the injury has made it even harder. Despite playing through the pain, his production has not matched his past performance. His hard-hit percentage has dropped from 47.6% in 2025 to 38.8% this season, and his max exit velocity has fallen to 108.8 mph, down from 114 mph the previous year. His average exit velocity has also declined, further highlighting a loss of power. The statistical decline is reflected in his batted ball distribution. Just 16.4% of his batted balls thus far have been line drives, compared to over 25% in 2025. Even more concerning is that he’s popping up balls 13.4% of the time, which would be the highest rate of his career over a full season. This pattern is problematic for a hitter reliant on power, as it reduces the likelihood of producing extra-base hits and damaging rallies. While his swing mechanics have remained largely unchanged, the eye test tells a different story.#2026_season #toronto_blue_jays #tampa_bay_rays #george_springer #fractured_toe
