SEATTLE -- George Springer left Game 5 of the ALCS in clear pain and limping after taking a fastball directly off his right kneecap.

The 95.6-mph pitch from Bryan Woo tailed in more than Springer expected and struck his back knee, which caused him to immediately drop to the ground in pain. After a long talk with the Blue Jays’ training staff and manager John Schneider, it looked like Springer would immediately be helped off the field, but the conversation kept going.

Springer limped up the first-base line with Schneider and head athletic trainer Jose Ministral, doing everything possible to stay in the game, but he finally had to accept this wasn’t going to work. Walking back to the dugout, Springer was in clear discomfort and is now headed for tests.

You cannot overstate the value of

See Full Page