George Chelston Springer III is an outfielder for the Toronto Blue Jays in Major League Baseball (MLB). He was a member of the Houston Astros from 2014 to 2020.
The Astros selected Springer in the first round (11th overall) of the 2011 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut with the Astros in 2014. Springer has usually played right field, but he has also played center field. Springer is of Puerto Rican and Panamanian descent and was born in New Britain, Connecticut.
Springer agreed to terms with the Toronto Blue Jays on a six-year, $150 million contract on January 23, 2021. However, he injured his quadriceps during spring training and was unable to begin the season.
He finally made his debut in the team’s 23rd game of the season on April 28. Springer was again placed on the injured list on May 5 with a quad strain. While on the injured list, Springer made his first return to Houston as a Blue Jay in an early-May series, and received a standing ovation. Springer returned to Toronto’s lineup on June 22.
On August 2, Springer was named AL Player of the Week batting .400 with eight runs scored, five doubles, three home runs, seven RBI, six walks, and a .960 slugging percentage over seven games played.
On August 9, for the second week in a row, he was named AL Player of the Week after batting .364 with nine runs scored, three doubles, a triple, three home runs, 11 RBI, and a .788 slugging percentage in eight games.
On August 14, Springer suffered a left ankle injury and was placed on the injured list for the third time in 2021. On August 30, he returned from his third stay on the injured list.
Springer married Charlise Castro, a softball player at the University of Albany, on January 20, 2018. The couple have a child who was born on February 2021.