This former Guardian is even more important to Blue Jays after George Springer injury

Monday’s 18 inning marathon between the Blue Jays and Dodgers in Game 3 of the World Series had a little bit of everything. Crazy defensive plays. Long relievers giving their all. A legacy-defining home run for Freddie Freeman. 

And a big injury that could change the dynamic of the World Series. In the seventh inning, Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer immediately left the game after grabbing his lower right side after fouling off a pitch. 

He was diagnosed with “right side discomfort” after the game, was left out of the lineup in Toronto’s Game 4 win on Tuesday and may not appear in the rest of the series.

And while that injury obviously moves every Blue Jay up a rung in the trust tree, it’s going to thrust former Guardian Ernie Clement into even bigger of a spotlight moving forward. 

Former Guardian Ernie Clement is becoming critical to the Blue Jays' success

Clement filling the void left by Springer isn’t an exact 1:1 comparison since Springer has only played at designated hitter in the postseason, but there’s more to it than that. 

The Blue Jays infield was already in flux thanks to Bo Bichette not being 100% due to his knee injury, and it’s a picture that’s going to be even more muddied thanks to the uncertainty around Springer. 

The Blue Jays slid Bichette over to DH on Tuesday and didn’t put Springer on the injured list, so the Blue Jays were playing a man down on the bench. If things get weird again, expect Clement to shuffle around the diamond thanks to manager John Schenider having one less option to consider. 

Bichette’s clearly not healthy (Tuesday marked the first time he’s played a full game this World Series), so he’d likely get pulled for a pinch-hitter if the game is close late. 

Schenider has another utility option in Isiah Kiner-Falefa, but Clement’s been on a different level this postseason. He’s hitting .393 this postseason — even after going 1-for-8 on Monday — and has been playing great defense at third base. 

Not only can Clement play all over the infield, but he’s also producing at the plate. He may not have the 23 postseason home runs that Springer has, but he’s as good a candidate as anyone to pick up the slack on offense. 

Former Guardian Myles Straw also could get some more playing time as well. The Blue Jays have done a great job managing his usage this year (for the most part), but he could be thrust into action earlier thanks to Springer not being able to go. He’s gone 0-for-7 at the plate so far this World Series.