Well before October began, the Boston Red Sox’s hopes of a run to the World Series were severely dashed. Roman Anthony sustained an oblique strain during Boston’s September 2 game against the Cleveland Guardians, and he was never able to return to action.

The initial prognosis for Anthony was grim. Red Sox manager Alex Cora told him to envision the first at-bat of the ALCS while he recovered — he was bold to assume his club would make it that far, especially without Anthony. Needless to say, Sox fans won’t be seeing him on the field again until 2026.

Toronto Blue Jays fans have twice experienced a similar heartbreak during the playoffs. George Springer took a Bryan Woo fastball square on the kneecap during the ALCS, and his season seemed over — the sound of the ball against bone was chilling. But he returned to play on October 19, and delivered the series-clinching homer the following night.

A week later, Springer sustained another injury that removed him from a game. The designated hitter and outfielder on October 27 swung at a pitch from Justin Wrobleski to lead off the seventh inning and immediately clutched his side. He quickly summoned an athletic trainer, who helped him off the field alongside manager John Schneider.

Springer underwent an MRI, but the Blue Jays haven’t been clear about what the results were. During Game 4 of the World Series, Schneider gave a shockingly optimistic update on the slugger’s progress, saying he thinks the slugger should be able to return to action.

Red Sox fans who saw Roman Anthony’s oblique injury know George Springer isn’t returning to World Series for Blue Jays

If Springer has an oblique injury, which is entirely possible, given how vague Toronto has been about his diagnosis, he’s not returning for the rest of the World Series. If he does, his ability to play will be severely diminished.

Oblique injuries are notorious in the baseball world. From swinging to throwing, twisting motions are a key part of how the game is played. Oblique strains can range from mild to agonizing pain, and mild ones can heal quickly, but the speed with which Springer grabbed his side and called a trainer doesn’t suggest a small injury.

The Red Sox’s offense looked lost without Anthony (.292/.396/.463 slash line in 71 games) in the lineup, but the Jays have avoided that fate without Springer. Toronto bounced back from a brutal 18-inning defeat on Monday night to win Game 4, 6-2, off heroics from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette. Still, Springer’s postseason pedigree, which includes 23 playoff homers, would make the Blue Jays better.

No matter how many times Schneider says Springer is day-to-day or “hour-to-hour,” he probably isn’t going to be healthy enough to return in time to finish the World Series, and if he does, he’ll be held back by the injury. It’s the World Series and the offseason is right around the corner, so the Jays don’t have much to lose by forcing Springer back in the game, but there’s a good chance that rushing him isn’t worth it.