Toronto Blue Jays continue to thrive despite injury concerns

The Toronto Blue Jays swept the Atlanta Braves in a three-game set over the weekend, continuing a climb up the American League standings.

The sweep propelled the Blue Jays to 14-12 on the season and moved them to second place in the AL East.

Some strong hitting performances have boosted the Blue Jays to seven wins in their last nine games in the face of a rash of injuries and a sparse line of starters.

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The team’s batters put up 26 runs over the weekend even as the Braves did everything they could to avoid the white-hot Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

The biggest concern over a successful set against Atlanta was the nagging quad issue to $150 million man George Springer. On Saturday, Springer pulled up after running hard to first base but shook it off to smack two home runs.

Perhaps more unsettling for the Toronto Blue Jays was seeing the 31-year-old lifted from a close game before his at-bat in the seventh inning on Sunday.

The team is being understandably cautious with their prized free agent signing, which manager Charlie Montoyo pointed to as the reason for pulling him.

"“It was hot today, and then [playing] three days in a row and swinging the bat and stuff, he felt fatigue,” said Montoyo, to reporters. “And, of course, we’re going to be careful with him. And that’s why we decided to take him out. It was the best thing for him today."

The team starts a four-game series in Oakland against the 17-12 Athletics on Monday night. Having a healthy Springer would certainly be welcomed but the rest of the offence is humming along too.

It is not just Springer’s quad that is cause for a headache to the Toronto Blue Jays. Alejandro Kirk, Anthony Castro and Tom Milone all wound up on the Injured List this weekend.

This is nothing new for a team that has lost 280 days to injury this season, sixth-most in the majors. An offence that put up 34 hits in three games and a patchwork rotation are keeping the Jays trending in the right direction.

Getting players healthy and continuing to humiliate opposing pitchers will be key for a team that is embarking on a 10-game road trip starting Monday.

What did you think of the Toronto Blue Jays’ weekend sweep of the Atlanta Braves? What are your predictions for the upcoming road trip? Let us know in the comments below.