The Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees began a four-game series on Monday at Yankee Stadium, as star outfielder George Springer was back in the starting lineup for Toronto. He missed Sunday’s series finale against the Detroit Tigers as part of the team’s load management plan for Springer.
Going into Monday’s matchup, Springer had played 27 games this season, batting just .186 with two home runs and eight RBIs. He had missed 15 games earlier in the year due to a fractured left big toe, and has been working his way back since.
He was batting leadoff on Monday in the designated hitter role, and he began the game with a single after a seven-pitch at-bat.
© John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
While this hit didn’t amount to much in the first inning of Monday’s game, it was a big accomplishment for Springer, as it marked the 1,500th hit of his Major League Baseball career.
The Blue Jays shared this triumph on social media, praising Springer for reaching this milestone.
“KING SPRING 👑 Give him 1,500 career @MLB hits!” the caption read.
KING SPRING 👑
Give him 1,500 career @MLB hits! pic.twitter.com/UKnXNhYf5j— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) May 18, 2026
This single to lead off the ballgame also broke a mini-slump that Springer was in, as he had sat on 1,499 career hits since Tuesday.
Springer is playing in his sixth season with Toronto after spending the first seven years of his major-league career with the Houston Astros. During his MLB tenure, the 36-year-old has accumulated four All-Star Game appearances, three Silver Slugger Awards and he was honored as the World Series MVP in 2017 with the Astros.
The Yankees led the Blue Jays 1-0 after the first inning in New York on Monday.
Related: Blue Jays Share George Springer Update After One Missed Game