Notes: Springer day to day; Pearson dazzles

George Springer is still feeling something in his right quad, which kept him out for nearly all of April, and is once again “day to day,” manager Charlie Montoyo said prior to Tuesday's game in Oakland.

After the Blue Jays called Monday a scheduled off-day for Springer, his quad kept him out of the lineup on Tuesday as this uncomfortable situation continues to develop.

“Every day, we have a conversation on how he feels,” Montoyo said. “He’s still feeling it in his quad and he’s doing some running today in the field to keep building that strength. We want him to play whenever he’s comfortable to do it. Whether it’s DH or in the outfield, that’s what’s going on right now.”

On Saturday, Springer hit two home runs but also appeared to pull up short of first base and reach towards his quad while running out a ground ball. On Sunday, Springer was removed after three plate appearances as he began to feel this “fatigue” in his quad.

Montoyo said that it’s not currently a “pain” issue for Springer, but a decision will need to made soon after a few days caught in the middle ground. Montoyo is still comfortable with the club’s decision to activate Springer from the IL initially, though, before these setbacks sidelined him again.

“Because he’s able to swing the bat,” Montoyo said. “He was able to swing the bat when he came back. The goal was that he was going to play in the outfield, it’s just that he felt fatigue. Before that, he was feeling good and you could see that in how he was swinging the bat at the plate. He was hitting bombs. Everything was going good until that Sunday, when he felt fatigue.”

The Blue Jays will continue to evaluate Springer and will see how he reacts to running drills on Wednesday. Montoyo said that an IL decision could be made in a couple of days if Springer is still not ready, but in the meantime, this leaves the Blue Jays with a short bench as they try to navigate a dense portion of their schedule.

Pearson dazzles in 2021 debut
No. 1 prospect Nate Pearson made the Opening Day start on Tuesday for the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, who are playing their home games out of Trenton, N.J., to open the season. The right-hander struck out eight batters over 3 2/3 innings, allowing one run on four hits and a walk.

At this point, Pearson has fully recovered from his right adductor strain, and after throwing 78 pitches he’s built up enough to be considered “ready," at least from a physical standpoint. Now, he’ll need to pitch his way back onto the MLB roster.

It’s only a matter of time, and this Blue Jays rotation is in need of the upside that he brings.

Ryu on track for return
Ace Hyun-Jin Ryu “looks good for Thursday,” Montoyo said, which would be the afternoon finale of the Blue Jays’ series in Oakland. Ryu has been on the IL with a mild glute strain that was never considered to be serious, but there’s always some level of worry with a soft tissue injury, so this news comes as a relief to the club.

Catcher position could evolve behind Jansen
Alejandro Kirk’s left flexor strain is expected to keep him out well beyond 10 days, so the Blue Jays will need to make a decision on how they approach their catching depth. No. 18 prospect Riley Adams is currently on the active roster, but would the Blue Jays rather him see sparse MLB reps or everyday Triple-A reps?

Reese McGuire flew to Oakland and, once he passes his COVID-19 intake protocols, the Blue Jays could add him to either their active roster or taxi squad.

McGuire is no longer on the 40-man roster, so he’d require a corresponding move, but again, that would all be done with Adams’ continued development in mind as the 24-year-old is coming off a strong camp after impressing the club with his work through the lost 2020 season.