August 17, 2021

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

The Toronto Blue Jays have called up INF/OF Otto Lopez and placed outfielder George Springer on the 10-day injured list with a left knee sprain.

Springer’s injury is retroactive to August 15.

The 22-year-old Lopez, who spent part of his youth in Montreal and competed for the Canadian national team at the 2019 Pan Am Games qualifier, is batting a combined .324 and owns a .398 on-base percentage in 80 games between double-A New Hampshire and triple-A Buffalo this season. He has recorded 102 hits - including 25 doubles and three home runs - and has stolen 12 bases.

Born in Santo Domingo, D.R., Lopez was signed as an international free agent by the Blue Jays prior to the 2017 season. Lopez has played second base, third base, shortstop and in the outfield during his parts of five seasons in the Blue Jays’ organization.

Lopez has hit well at every stop in the minors and owns a .314 batting average and 360 hits in 297 professional games.

Springer returns to the injured list after landing awkwardly after leaping for a ball at the centre field wall in the seventh inning of the Blue Jays game against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on Saturday. His injury was originally diagnosed as a sprained ankle, but he had since felt discomfort in his knee.

Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo told reporters there’s no set timetable for Springer’s return.

After missing most of the first two months of the season with leg issues, Springer, who signed a six-year, $150-million contract in the off-season, batted .269 with 16 home runs and 35 RBIs in 49 games and had won back-to-back American League Player of the Week honours at the beginning of August.