Blue Jays manager Schneider optimistic Springer will play ALCS Game 6 after pitch off knee

TORONTO (AP) — Blue Jays manager John Schneider says he is optimistic George Springer will be available against the Seattle Mariners in Game 6 of the AL Championship Series in Toronto on Sunday night.

“Feeling a lot better than he did yesterday,” Schneider said Saturday.

Springer, Toronto's leadoff hitter, was struck on the right kneecap by a 95.6 mph pitch from Bryan Woo in the seventh inning of Friday’s 6-2 loss and left the game.

Seattle leads the best-of-seven series 3-2.

The 36-year-old Springer, a four-time All-Star, is hitting .256 with three home runs and five doubles this postseason. His 22 career playoff homers are tied with Bernie Williams for fourth most.

Schneider said Springer got treatment on Saturday and was expected to test his knee in a team workout.

“Just make sure that it’s not bothering him swinging and not bothering him running,” Schneider said. “But he’s a tough dude, so I’m hopeful and optimistic that he’ll be good to go.”

Springer fell to the ground after being struck by Woo’s pitch, and stayed down in the batter’s box while Schneider and trainer Drew MacDonald came out from the dugout. Springer walked gingerly toward first, attempted to run a few steps, then walked off and was replaced by pinch-runner Joey Loperfido.

Schneider said injured shortstop Bo Bichette still hasn’t run the bases since pulling up in an attempt last Saturday, the day before the ALCS began.

“You guys have probably seen him in the outfield, but not on the bases yet,” Schneider told reporters. “May do that today. But he’s definitely making progress. Definitely making progress with his swing as well.”

Bichette finished second in the major leagues to the New York Yankees' Aaron Judge with a .311 batting average.

Bichette hasn’t played since he was injured in a Sept. 6 collision with Yankees catcher Austin Wells. He is eligible for free agency after the World Series.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Toronto Blue Jays' George Springer follows through on an RBI double against the Seattle Mariners during the fifth inning in Game 5 of baseball's American League Championship Series, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Teammates and staff help Toronto Blue Jays outfielder George Springer (4) off the field after he took a pitch to the knee from Seattle Mariners pitcher Bryan Woo (22) during seventh inning MLB Game 5 of baseball's American League Championship Series action in Seattle, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder George Springer (4) rolls on the ground after taking a pitch to the knee from Seattle Mariners pitcher Bryan Woo (22) during seventh inning MLB Game 5 of baseball's American League Championship Series action in Seattle, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Blue Jays' George Springer falls after being hit by a pitch against the Seattle Mariners during the seventh inning in Game 5 of baseball's American League Championship Series, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Victor Wembanyama returned from a 12-game absence with 22 points and nine rebounds, giving San Antonio a surge and the Oklahoma City Thunder just its second loss with the 111-109 victory Saturday night putting the Spurs in the NBA Cup final.

The Spurs play the New York Knicks in Tuesday night's final.

Oklahoma City's last defeat was Nov. 5 at Portland, and the Thunder carried a 16-game winning streak into this game. They now are 24-2, the second-best start behind only the 25-1 record by Golden State in 2015-16.

This is the Thunder's second loss in a row in Las Vegas. They also lost last year’s final to Milwaukee 97-81.

Wembanyama, who received “M-V-P” chants from the pro-Spurs crowd, had a plus-21 rating in 21 minutes. Teammate Devin Vassell scored 23 points and De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle each scored 22.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 29 points, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams each totaled 17.

Wembanyama had been out because of a strained left calf, though the Spurs went 9-3 in his absence. He was placed on a minutes restriction against the Thunder, but that didn't limit his impact.

Wembanyama, who entered the game averaging 26.2 points and 12.9 rebounds, gave the Spurs an immediate boost and sent a surge into the crowd. Fans began to roar when he removed his sweatpants before the second quarter, and Wembanyama had a plus-20 rating in just seven minutes even with his team trailing by three points at halftime.

But San Antonio ended the first half with a 13-point run to make it a contest. The Spurs used a 10-point run in the third quarter to go up 62-56 and set the stage for a tense fourth period.

Spurs: Play the Knicks on Tuesday night in the NBA Cup final.

Thunder: Host the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) reacts to scoring in the second half of an NBA Cup semifinals basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ronda Churchill)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, center, tangles with San Antonio Spurs' Keldon Johnson (3) and Stephon Castle (5) under the net in the first half of an NBA Cup semifinals basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ronda Churchill)

Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren (7) jumps up for a shot near San Antonio Spurs' Harrison Barnes (40) and Luke Kornet (7) in the first half of an NBA Cup semifinals basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ronda Churchill)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) jumps to the basket near San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie (30) during the first half of an NBA Cup semifinals basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ronda Churchill)

San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper (2) sets to play the ball in the first half of an NBA Cup semifinals basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ronda Churchill)