Toronto Blue Jays will continue to find a way without Teoscar Hernandez
By Paul Taylor
Will the Toronto Blue Jays be able to remain in a playoff spot after the news that Teoscar Hernandez will miss serious playing time with a rib injury?
Teoscar Hernandez has been a key component in the Toronto Blue Jays’ unexpected challenge for a playoff spot. However, the team is now going to have to learn to win without him for the foreseeable future.
As reported by CBC Sports, Hernandez is set to have an MRI after experiencing left rib cage stiffness. Pending the outcome of the MRI, he is expected to miss serious playing time with the injury.
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The injury happened on Saturday, in the Blue Jays’ 9-8 loss to the Boston Red Sox. To highlight the unfortunate timing of the injury, it happened during a typical excellent day at the plate for Hernandez.
The 27-year-old went 3-for-5 on the day, hitting his 14th home run of the season — second-most in the Majors — and scoring three runs overall. The rib injury reportedly happened while swinging the bat, but he managed to complete the game.
Hernandez currently leads the Blue Jays in home runs, RBI, batting average, hits and total bases. While he will undoubtedly be missed by the club, this isn’t the first time they have dealt with a key injury absence this season.
The Blue Jays have already played significant games without Bo Bichette and Ken Giles, who are both in line to return very soon. Despite the importance of both players, the club has managed to remain in contention.
Of course, any club can only withstand so many injuries to key personnel. However, it speaks volumes about the mental fortitude of the Blue Jays that they find themselves with an excellent chance of qualifying for the postseason, albeit in a year when there are more playoff spots than usual.
In any event, the Blue Jays will be hoping Hernandez will return sooner than later, ideally before the conclusion of the regular season. In the meantime, Rowdy Tellez is expected to move into the cleanup role.
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Are you concerned about Hernandez missing serious playing time with his rib cage injury? Or are you confident the Toronto Blue Jays will continue to get positive results and remain in a playoff spot? Let us know in the comments section below.