George Springer will make his first start in left field with the Toronto Blue Jays this season on Friday night against the Chicago White Sox.
Springer has been the designated hitter for the Blue Jays in each of the 66 games he’s played in 2026. He is slashing .218/.303/.374 with nine home runs and 22 RBIs.
He made 12 appearances at left field for the Blue Jays in 2025, during which he had -1 Fielding Run Value. His most recent appearance in left field was on Sept. 24, 2025 against the Boston Red Sox.
Brandon Valenzuela will serve as designated hitter for the Blue Jays Friday night. It’s his first appearance as the DH for Toronto. Valenzuela is slashing .241/.322/.407 with seven home runs and 20 RBIs in 57 games for the Blue Jays.
Spencer Miles will take the ball for the Blue Jays on Friday night.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider told reporters over the All-Star break that the Jays will tentatively plan to go with Miles, Shane Bieber and Trey Yesavage as starters against the White Sox this weekend. They will be followed by Dylan Cease and Kevin Gausman next week against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Miles had previously been identified as an option to start since the Jays moved struggling left-hander Patrick Corbin to the bullpen earlier this month. Miles pitched three innings in a Canada-Day victory over the New York Mets and started the following week in San Francisco against the Giants. Miles’ last appearance came last Saturday in San Diego when he went two shutout innings in relief.
The 25-year-old has been solid so far this season for the Jays, posting an ERA of 2.85 with 57 strikeouts in 60.0 innings spread out over 26 appearances. He joined the Blue Jays in December after being selected in the Rule 5 Draft from the Giants.
Toronto resumes play Friday night six games below .500 at 45-51 sitting last in the American League East. However, they are only two and a half games back of the final AL wild-card spot.
