Former NHL player Ryan Kesler has been arrested and charged with two misdemeanor counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct related to alleged inappropriate contact with a 16-year-old child earlier this year.

Kesler, 41, was arraigned on Monday, Oct. 27 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, and plead not guilty to the charges in court. The allegations include sexual contact “through force or coercion and/or (had) reason to know the victim was physically helpless,’ according to a criminal complaint filed by police in Orchard Lake, Michigan, and obtained by USA TODAY Sports.

The alleged incident was reported on Jan. 2 and the Oakland County 48th District Court docket lists the event date as Jan. 1. Authorities filed charges and obtained a warrant for Kesler’s arrest on Oct. 23. Kesler posted a $50,000 bond and was ordered not to leave the state without court permission. His next scheduled court appearance is a Nov. 6 probable cause conference.

‘Ryan emphatically denies the allegations and is completely innocent of the charges,’ Kesler’s attorney, Robert Morad, told The Athletic on Monday. ‘As the legal process begins, we ask for respect for his privacy and for the integrity of the judicial system. We are confident, when all the facts and circumstances are presented, that he will be fully exonerated.’

Kesler played 15 seasons in the NHL with the Vancouver Canucks and Anaheim Ducks and twice represented the United States in the Winter Olympics. He appeared in 1,001 NHL games and finished his career with 258 goals and 573 points. The Livonia, Michigan, native last played in an NHL game in 2019. 

Kesler was in his third season as a head coach with the Little Caesars AAA Hockey Club. The elite Detroit-area youth program told The Athletic that Kesler was ‘removed from his position while this matter is addressed by the judicial system,’ but that the allegation was not connected to the organization.

Although NBA free agent Malik Beasley was cleared of any wrongdoing regarding bets placed on other sports, he finds himself in the middle of another betting scandal as the NBA’s latest gambling crisis has pulled Beasley back into the fray.

Beasley is still under investigation by the NBA related to suspicious prop bets placed during the 2023-24 season. He is also still a subject in the FBI’s ongoing investigation, which has already led to the arrests of former Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier.

Statements from Beasley’s lawyer

Beasley’s lawyer, Steve Haney told Detroit Free Press, which is part of the USA TODAY Network, ‘I want to make this perfectly clear any avoidance Malik Beasley has in connection with today’s developments in the federal gambling arrests has no relationship whatsoever to any alleged or accused cooperation or information provided to the eastern district of New York.’

He continued, ‘Malik has not and will not cooperate with any pending federal investigations.’

How is Beasley tied to Billups, Rozier?

According to FBI assistant director Christopher Raia, Billups allegedly was recruited by a Sicilian crime organization to participate in rigged poker games.

Billups and his legal counsel maintain that they are and have never been involved in the criminal activities associated with Billups’ and Rozier’s arrests this previous Thursday, Oct. 23.

Beasley’s statement

After being cleared of the original charges he faced, Beasley took to social media, making a post regarding his future in basketball.

Beasley’s post describes how difficult it is for him to continue playing basketball professionally. His image has been tainted and it is likely no team will be willing to sign him anymore. That said, he believes he will be ready should such an opportunity ever arise for him again. For now, all he wants to do is ‘Just Hoop.’

USA TODAY Sports has live coverage ofDodgers vs. Blue Jays in World Series Game 4.

LOS ANGELES — Freddie Freeman and Shohei Ohtani had long since been memorialized in World Series lore. Will Klein was about to be.

And as the 18 innings of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ sometimes numbing, often quizzical and ultimately palpitating 6-5 victory in Game 3 of the World Series unfolded, many, many others played a role in stitching together this Fall Classic quilt like a once-every-seven-years phenomenon.

So let’s not forget the Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays who extended the game with their arm, their smarts or their want. They’ll likely be forgotten to history, but right now we can take a moment to appreciate them.

Edgardo Henriquez, Dodgers relief pitcher

Way back in early September, when the Dodgers’ chances of a repeat championship seemed very much at risk of unspooling, manager Dave Roberts was musing about what he could actually do to salvage a bullpen where $72 million lefty Tanner Scott lost all ability to record outs and others were shelved with injury or had long since tumbled out of his trust tree.

‘I live in a world of, what’s the alternative?’ Roberts said that weekend in Baltimore, as a manner of indicating he couldn’t just throw in the towel on Scott. ‘I just don’t feel that Edgardo Henriquez, for example, throwing 10 major-league innings, is now the savior. I think there’s things that, there’s a track record, a trust, a confidence in players that have earned it.

‘There’s also, giving guys opportunities to continue to earn opportunities and not think they’re a savior when they’ve thrown 10 major-league innings.

‘And that’s not a knock on Edgardo.’

Well here we are, nearly two months later, and Henriquez is very much a savior.

He entered Game 7 in the 13th inning, right after Roberts had exhausted all his favorite party tricks:

Rōki Sasaki for multiple innings. A trio of lefty relief stalwarts – Anthony Banda, Justin Wrobleski and Jack Dreyer – in strong situational roles earlier.

And then his ultimate just-you-watch-me maneuver: Clayton Kershaw for one batter, the veteran very much running the risk of his last appearance of his Hall of Fame career ending in another playoff indignity.

Nope, Henriquez’s appearance signaled the portion of the game where Roberts and Blue Jays counterpart John Schneider had to close their eyes and hope that the dudes they clearly did not trust could come through.

And Henriquez was untouchable.

Of the 14 pitchers who completed at least one inning in Game 3, only he and Blue Jays veteran Chris Bassitt did not yield a hit or a walk. Henriquez simply blasted through the Dodgers for two innings, throwing the eight hardest pitches of the night and clocking between 100 and 101.8 mph nine times.

With command, most importantly.

He pitched two spotless innings, taking down three of the Blue Jays’ five remaining viable threats – Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Ernie Clement and Andrés Giménez – after injuries and substitutions left the late-night Blue Jays desiccated after dark.

And then quietly passed the baton to Klein.

‘Tonight was will Klein’s night,’ said Roberts, ‘and obviously, what Edgardo did was just as paramount.’

Addison Barger, Blue Jays right fielder

Schneider manages the game aggressively, not hesitating to capture matchups and situations when the moment warrants. More often, it works out splendidly.

Yet in a game in which All-Star leadoff man George Springer leaves due to a back injury and Bo Bichette subs out to minimize the impact on his ailing knee, it can leave him shorthanded.

Especially when the darn thing goes 18 innings.

But Schneider couldn’t envision that when he pinch-ran the speedy and defensively excellent Myles Straw for Addison Barger in the eighth inning, the hope that Straw would score the go-ahead run.

Dude ended up playing more than 10 innings.

Yet before all that, Barger saved the Blue Jays’ Canadian bacon.

With the Dodgers threatening to add to their 2-0 lead in the third inning, catcher Will Smith rifled a single into medium deep right field. With two outs, Freeman was running hard on the pitch, even if his speed is the stuff of mockery for the Dodgers’ basepaths celebration, two years running now.

Nonetheless, Barger fielded the ball and, practically flat-footed, uncorked a 98.5 mph throw right on the money to home.

Alejandro Kirk swiped the tag on Freeman. Inning over. Moments later, Kirk would hit a game-turning three-run home run – well, temporarily game-turning. Yet Barger gave the Blue Jays a chance, even if managerial button-pushing would render him a spectator most of the night.

Will Smith, Dodgers catcher

Since Kirk, too, was lifted for a pinch runner, Smith was the only man to catch all 18 innings and handle 10 pitchers on this night. That alone should earn him a special proclamation from the principal.

He also came hella close to ending this thing in the 14th inning, when his 383-foot, 101.5-mph drive to center field ran out of steam right at the fence. Alas, in life, timing is everything: By the 14th inning, a marine layer brought mist and a thicker air to Dodger Stadium. In daylight hours, that ball is probably a goner and Smith, not Freeman, gets dogpiled.

But he also shined behind the plate, most notably in the 10th inning, when the Blue Jays tried to win it by sending pinch runner Davis Schneider home on Nathan Lukes’ double in the right field corner. Teoscar Hernández and Tommy Edman provided perfunctory relay throws and Smith was most valuable for what he didn’t do – illegally block the plate.

He swiped the tag on Schneider, but Toronto challenged the out call. Replays confirmed that Smith, in fact, left Schneider a lane.

And provided one for the Dodgers to keep playing until Freeman sent them home.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays first baseman

Yeah, not often we include a franchise player and club MVP on a night he fails to record a hit. Yet Guerrero reached base four times in nine appearances, taking what the Dodgers gave him after many of the Blue Jays’ boppers disappeared around him.

But Vladdy never quite gets his due as a Baseball Player, and that’s why we include him here.

With the game knotted 4-4 in the sixith and Teoscar Hernández on first, Kiké Hernández chopped a ball into the hole at short. Andrés Giménez’s jump throw was not going to get Kiké at first. Guerrero saw this before anyone else in Dodger Stadium – and also saw Teo sprinting for third.

So he came off the first base bag and fielded Giménez’s throw several feet toward the middle of the infield and uncorked a laser to third base. The other Hernández was out, upheld on review.

The play was a beautiful marriage of instincts and ability on a night Vladdy never had his big moment, but certainly did what he could.

Dave Roberts, Dodgers manager

Funny life these managers lead. If the Dodgers finish off this Series conquest, Roberts will already be far more accomplished than the great Dodger in the sky, Tommy Lasorda, ever was.

It’s just that Lasorda held court at a time the world hung on every manager’s word, profane or otherwise, as if it were gospel. Dugout jockeys these days exist solely for the pedantic to poke at their every maneuvers, even if the public is not privy to so much information that drives those calls.

And how can you not laud a dude who guided a team successfully through 18 innings?

Roberts was spot on all the way, from knowing when to cut bait on starter Tyler Glasnow (after 13 outs), to how long to stick with longer options such as Emmet Sheehan and Justin Wrobleski and Henriquez and Klein.

Managing a club in which nearly half the roster hauls down nine-figure salaries and the expectations are World Series or bust is massive. Throw in the emotional toll Roberts and the club have taken on with the devastating departure of top lefty reliever Alex Vesia and this Series has already been a lot.

In Game 3, though, 10 years into his stewardship of the Dodgers, Roberts truly painted his masterpiece.

USA TODAY Sports has live coverage ofDodgers vs. Blue Jays in World Series Game 4.

LOS ANGELES — As they trudged off the Dodger Stadium grass in the wee minutes of Oct. 28, the Toronto Blue Jays experienced feelings only a precious few ballplayers across a century of this game have confronted: Losing an 18-inning World Series game.

 Hey, when it’s first team to four wins a world championship, every loss is costly. And the bill for this one will be exorbitant in Games 4 and 5.

Freddie Freeman’s home run leading off the bottom of the 18^th inning didn’t just elevate the Dodgers to a 6-5 victory and a 2-1 World Series advantage. It also exacerbated the many problems Toronto will face both getting back in this Series and, against the odds, reclaiming the upper hand.

Not that the Blue Jays are focusing on that. Manager John Schneider is the master of cheerfully refusing to consider what just happened might impact what will happen.

“The Dodgers didn’t win the World Series today. They won a game,” says Schneider in his postgame dissection, long after the clock struck midnight on the West Coast.

“These guys are going to be ready to go tomorrow. I love the way we played. I love the way we fought.”

Schneider is rightfully proud of his dudes but it’s probably not a bad idea to peek under the hood and ponder the Jays’ reality.

They have a Shohei Ohtani problem: The game’s greatest player didn’t just reach base a record nine times in as many plate appearances, drop two home runs and two doubles on Toronto and still go to bed dreaming of dominating them on the mound.

He also illustrated the problems of pitching around him. Sure, it took 18 innings, but turn over that Dodger lineup enough, and eventually a former MVP will come around to beat you if you insist Ohtani doesn’t.

“Again, man, the guy’s a great player,” says Schneider. “There’s certain times where I feel like you feel better about someone else beating you. If that someone else is Mookie Betts or Freddie Freeman, it still stings.

“It’s not the easiest thing in the world to just walk him and face Mookie and Freddie.”

Says Toronto third baseman Ernie Clement: “He’s the best player to ever play this game. Reaching base nine times – I think I was 1-for08, so wish I could take a couple of those from him. It’s amazing.

“You can’t let him beat you. We intentionally walked him, pretty much, four times, at least. It’s a no-brainer.”

They have a pitching problem: Game 4 starter Shane Bieber has averaged just 4 ⅓ innings in his three playoff starts this season, all against lineups not nearly as potent as the Dodgers’. Now, consider the state of the relief corps – all of whom pitched in Game 3 – that will align behind him.

Long man Eric Lauer pitched a gallant 4 ⅔ innings, keeping Toronto alive between innings 12 through 16, requiring 68 pitches. Closer Jeff Hoffman pitched two innings, burning 33 throws.

Five other relievers threw between 19 and 29 pitches, and while you can say the Dodgers also had to cover 18 innings, will also have pitchers down because of it, they also have something Toronto does not:

Shohei Ohtani, starting Game 4.

No wonder the Blue Jays will, even more than usual, place “unavailable” on its banned list of words this week.

“Honestly, I think almost everybody’s going to be ready to go tomorrow,” says Lauer, who might be whisked away by pitcher’s protective services, if such an entity exists, should he throw a pitch in Game 4.

“It’s the World Series: Nobody wants to miss an inning, no one wants to be down. Do whatever you can to get yourself ready tomorrow and ready to go.”

And they have a health problem: DH and leadoff man George Springer, whose body was already compromised in multiple fashions, left the game after wrenching his left side on a swing in the seventh inning. He underwent an MRI.

Second baseman Bo Bichette has made significant contributions in this Series since returning from a 48-day absence due to a knee ligament strain. Yet he’s also far from 100% and is replaced either by a pinch-runner or on defense late in games.

Springer’s exit and Bichette’s limitations burned the Blue Jays in Game 3, with massive holes in the lineup creating the impression they might never score again.

And for the last 11 innings of Game 3, they didn’t.

“We owe them some runs tomorrow, for sure. We’ll get on that,” says Clement.

Postseason pitching is already a different, uncaged animal, and the World Series is its most extreme example, since there truly are no tomorrows. Toronto was prepared, mentally, to adjust to whatever role might come before its pitchers.

As the 17^th and 18^th innings unfolded, there were crazy sights to behold in the Dodgers’ and Blue Jays’ bullpens: Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Dodgers’ Game 2 winner who threw a complete game two days before, getting ready to come in if necessary.

And Shane Bieber, Toronto’s Game 4 starter, likely getting tapped to pitch the 19^th inning, if it got that far.

It didn’t. And now, Toronto’s pitching problem is not mental adjustments to playoff ball but rather a physical one, pondering limitations and efficacy as it aims to win three of the next four games.

“This is playoff baseball. You saw who was getting ready in their bullpen. And who was getting ready in ours,” says Blue Jays Game 2 starter Kevin Gausman. “That just shows you this time of year is a little different. And playing that long of a game is a little different.

“Throw all your normalities out the window when it comes to this time of year.”

Oh, Game 3 was plenty abnormal. Stay tuned for the fallout.

The time to make a deal is about to expire.

The NFL’s trade deadline is 4 p.m. ET, Tuesday, Nov. 4. Who are the buyers and sellers?

We’ve already seen multiple trades occur in the weeks leading up to the deadline. The Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals made an intrastate trade for veteran Joe Flacco. Cleveland also shipped Greg Newsome II to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for Tyson Campbell.

The Harbaugh brothers made an Odafe Oweh-Alohi Gilman deal. And the Los Angeles Rams acquired Roger McCreary from the Titans in deals that took place before the trade deadline.

More trades are expected to happen before time runs out.

USA TODAY Sports went across the NFL to investigate some bubbling trade rumors in advance of the deadline.

Could Ravens deal veteran tight end?

Ravens tight end Mark Andrews is a name to monitor as the trade deadline approaches. Andrews has been subject to trade rumors since March. The veteran is on an expiring contract and Baltimore already has his heir apparent on the roster in Isaiah Likely.

It’s also worth noting that Likely is on the final year of his contract, but many expect Likely to re-sign in Baltimore.

Will Kirk Cousins get his wish?

The Falcons backup QB still desires an opportunity to start elsewhere, a person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports. They spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter. However, no trade appears to be imminent.

Cousins made his first start of the season for the injured Michael Penix Jr. (knee) in Atlanta’s 34-10 Week 8 loss.

Raiders WR Jakobi Meyers doubles down on trade request

Meyers reiterated his desire to be traded.

‘Oh, for sure,’ Meyers said, per ESPN, when asked if he still wanted to be traded. ‘But I’m a professional at the end of the day. I’m just trying to play good football.’

The Raiders wideout had requested a trade just before the start of the regular season.

Las Vegas signed veteran WR Tyler Lockett on Monday, which could be a precursor for another trade.

Cowboys ‘open for business’

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told 105.3 The Fan the team is a willing participant in trade discussions.

‘I think that old sign is out, ‘Open for Business,’ is there. I think that we are continually looking. As we go on into this season, teams will position themselves where they basically feel like less of a contender because of the losses or because of circumstance on their team.’ Jones said earlier this month. ‘That’s when you’ll see sometimes some better players that are available because the team has decided to start redoing some things on their salary cap structure, for instance. There’s opportunity there, and that’s when you start getting those calls. And yes, we’re in a position to improve our team if we get an opportunity to.’

Jones told reporters the Cowboys’ Week 8 blowout loss to the Denver Broncos won’t impact the team’s trade strategy.

Are Saints sellers?

Multiple Saints players on both sides of the ball have come up in advance of the trade deadline. But running back Alvin Kamara is unlikely to be dealt anywhere.

Kamara expressed his desire to stay in New Orleans despite the franchise’s struggles to produce a winning team.

“I think I’ve been vocal enough that … I don’t want to go anywhere,’ Kamara said, via ESPN. ‘And I said it countless times, y’all know that. I think everybody knows that. The fan base knows that. And at the end of the day, it’s business.”

More trades for Chargers?

The Los Angeles Chargers have made inquiries about adding a running back or help along their offensive line, a person familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they aren’t authorized to talk about the matter.

Chargers rookie running back Omarion Hampton (ankle) is currently on injured reserve. Los Angeles already acquired edge rusher Odafe Oweh in a previous deal earlier this month.

Breece Hall on the move?

Hall’s name has been subject to trade rumors as the deadline approaches, but New York Jets coach Aaron Glenn dismissed any speculation earlier this month.

“They’re rumors. Still feel the same way,” Glenn told reporters on Oct. 15.

The Jets are clearly a team in a rebuild, so could they deal Hall to acquire more draft capital?

There are multiple playoff-caliber teams interested in a running back.

Titans expected to be sellers

Many around the NFL expect the Tennessee Titans to be sellers during the trade deadline. Tennessee already traded cornerback Roger McCreary to the Rams on Monday.

The Titans have reportedly made quarterback Cam Ward and defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons untouchable.

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.

Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami is keeping another young midfielder in the fold.

Bright has a goal and an assist in 68 matches across all competitions with Inter Miami, which announced it signed Messi to a three-year deal through 2028 last week.

Bright was signed after being a first-round pick in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft, helping Inter Miami win the Supporters’ Shield with an MLS-record 74 points last season.

Bright has competed for playing time alongside Sergio Busquets, the Spanish World Cup champion who plans to retire at the end of the season, and Rodrigo De Paul, the Argentine World Cup champion who signed earlier this season with the club.

Left back Jordi Alba also announced last month he plans to retire at the end of the 2025 season.

Luis Suarez, the Uruguayan striker whose contract expires at the end of the season, is reportedly in talks to remain with the club.

Inter Miami is up 1-0 against Nashville SC in their best-of-three, first-round series in the MLS Cup playoffs. Game 2 is Saturday, Nov. 1, in Nashville.

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts did not try to hide it: Yes, he needed a sleep aid after the 18-inning epic that was World Series Game 3.

Just hours later, the principals reunited for Game 4, which may henceforth be referred to as The Day After.

That means little rest for anyone and especially Shohei Ohtani, who after reaching base nine times in Game 3 will now add starting pitcher to his Game 4 duties.

“He’s in great shape, very well-conditioned,” says Roberts of Ohtani. “I expect him to be ready for today.

“This guy is a different kind of athlete and a different kind of brain.”

The Toronto Blue Jays will counter with Shane Bieber and what they hope isn’t a roster overly compromised by injury. They term the status of leadoff hitter George Springer as hour-to-hour, but they do not plan on making a roster move to replace him after he strained his side in Game 3.

Follow for live updates:

What time is World Series today? Dodgers vs Blue Jays Game 4

First pitch in Game 4 is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET at Dodger Stadium.

How to watch Dodgers vs Blue Jays: World Series channel, live stream

• TV channel: Fox
• Live stream with Fubo

Watch World Series Game 4 LIVE on Fubo

Dodgers lineup today

1. Shohei Ohtani (L) P
2. Mookie Betts (R) SS
3. Freddie Freeman (L) 1B
4. Will Smith (R) C
5. Teoscar Hernández (R) RF
6. Max Muncy (L) 3B
7. Tommy Edman (S) 2B
8. Enrique Hernández (R) LF
9. Andy Pages (R) CF

Dodgers vs Blue Jays predictions for World Series Game 4

• Gabe Lacques: Dodgers 6, Blue Jays 2
• Bob Nightengale: Dodgers 7, Blue Jays 4
• Jesse Yomtov: Blue Jays 5, Dodgers 2
• Steve Gardner: Blue Jays 7, Dodgers 6
• Jon Hoefling: Dodgers 6, Blue Jays 3

World Series Game 4 simulation

How will this year’s World Series play out? Using theDynasty League Baseball online simulation, USA TODAY Sports’ Steve Gardner and DLB designer Mike Cieslinski will pre-play each game to provide some insight into the key matchups and strategy fans can expect to see in the Fall Classic.

Toronto Blue Jays World Series appearances

Toronto won World Series championships in 1992 (vs. Braves) and 1993 (vs. Phillies), the previous only times in franchise history the club had reached the Fall Classic since starting play in 1977.

Toronto Blue Jays World Series roster

Pitchers (12): RHP Chris Bassitt, RHP Shane Bieber, RHP Seranthony Dominguez, RHP Braydon Fisher, LHP Mason Fluharty, RHP Kevin Gausman, RHP Jeff Hoffman, LHP Eric Lauer, LHP Brendon Little, RHP Max Scherzer, RHP Louis Varland, RHP Trey Yesavage.

Position players (14): C Tyler Heineman, C Alejandro Kirk, INF/OF Addison Barger, INF Bo Bichette, INF Ernie Clement, INF Ty France, INF Andrés Giménez, INF Vladimir Guerrero Jr., INF Isiah Kiner-Falefa, OF Nathan Lukes, OF Davis Schneider, OF George Springer, OF Myles Straw, OF Daulton Varsho.

Los Angeles Dodgers World Series roster

Pitchers (12): LHP Anthony Banda, LHP Jack Dreyer, RHP Tyler Glasnow, RHP Edgardo Henriquez, LHP Clayton Kershaw, RHP Will Klein, RHP Roki Sasaki, RHP Emmet Sheehan, LHP Blake Snell, RHP Blake Treinen, LHP Justin Wrobleski, RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

Position, two-way players (14): SS Mookie Betts, OF Alex Call, OF Justin Dean, INF/OF Tommy Edman, 1B Freddie Freeman, INF/OF Kiké Hernández, OF Teoscar Hernández, INF/OF Hyeseong Kim, 3B Max Muncy, DH/P Shohei Ohtani, OF Andy Pages, INF Miguel Rojas, C Ben Rortvedt, C Will Smith.

By the time an epic Game 3 of the 2025 World Series ended after 18 innings, George Springer’s early exit had become but a footnote on a historic night of baseball.

But Spinger’s status moving forward looms large as the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers prepare for a crucial Game 4 at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday night, less than 18 hours after their six-hour, 39-minute instant classic that ended with Freddie Freeman giving Los Angeles a 2-1 series lead thanks to a walk-off home run.

Springer, who served as Toronto’s designated hitter in Game 3 and got booed by Dodgers’ fans, appeared to injure himself while swinging at a pitch in the seventh inning Monday, grabbing at his right side almost immediately after fouling off a ball. After calling for an athletic trainer, Springer left the game before finishing the at bat. He was replaced in the lineup by Ty France.

Given the short turnaround and the Blue Jays deficit facing two more road games, Springer’s health is suddenly a huge storyline for the rest of the World Series. He was the 2017 World Series MVP when the Houston Astros beat the Dodgers and ranked among the top five in MLB in batting average this season. Springer has four home runs this postseason, including a three-run homer that pushed the Blue Jays past the Seattle Mariners in Game 7 of the AL Championship Series.

Here’s the latest on Springer’s injury and whether he is able to play for the Blue Jays against the Dodgers in Game 4 of the 2025 World Series:

Is George Springer playing in World Series Game 4?

It’s uncertain if Springer will be in the lineup about eight hours before the scheduled first pitch for Game 4 at Dodger Stadium.

George Springer injury update

‘We’ll see how it comes back and see how he walks up (Tuesday), but it sucks,’ Schneider said. ‘He’s obviously a huge part of our lineup. Glad I got him out when I did. Hopefully, it didn’t make anything worse.’

Springer had already been playing through wrist and knee injuries after being hit by pitches this postseason, including Game 2 of the World Series. He has not yet missed a game due to the ailments, though Schneider joked before Game 3 that Springer is ‘being held together with duct tape,’ according to MLB.com.

USA TODAY Sports has live coverage of Dodgers vs. Blue Jays in World Series Game 4.

Freddie Freeman has a flair for the dramatic.

The Los Angeles Dodgers’ first baseman and resident superhero showed again his penchant for iconic walk-off home runs. Following his 2024 World Series game winner, Freeman stepped to the plate in the 18th inning of what only felt like baseball purgatory and took Blue Jays reliever Brendon Little to center for the game’s final flourish. The Dodgers beat the Blue Jays, 6-5.

The crowd erupted. Joe Davis exclaimed. And broadcasts around the baseball world colored the moment in their own special way.

Here is but a taste of Game 3 as it ended, brought to you by some of the best in the business.

Freddie Freeman’s home run ends 18-inning Game 3: Hear the call

Fox broadcast

Fox Deportes

Crowd sound only

Stephen Nelson

MLB International

Sportsnet