Atkins: Jays will need time to make final decision on Schneider

Ross Atkins told reporters Tuesday that the team will need more time to work through the process with John Schneider potentially returning as manager. 

The Blue Jays' general manager added they will have a hard time finding a better candidate than Schneider.

Ross Atkins says they’ll need more time to work through the process with John Schneider potentially returning as manager. He added they’ll have a hard time finding a better candidate.#BlueJays

Schneider took over in July after the firing of Charlie Montoyo, leading the Blue Jays to a 46-28 record over the final 74 games of the regular season. The Blue Jays finished the season 92-70 in total.

The 42-year-old was drafted by the team as a catcher in 2002 and made it as high as triple-A as a player before pivoting to coaching in 2008. He managed at various levels of the organization, leading the double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats to an Eastern League title in 2018, a team that featured Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette and other members of the current big league roster. Schneider was moved to the Jays' staff as major league coach in 2019 and moved to a bench coach role in 2022.

Meanwhile, Atkins also told reporters on Tuesday that outfielder George Springer suffered a concussion and shoulder sprain during the eighth inning of Game 2 when he collided with Bo Bichette trying trying to make a diving catch. Atkins said he will be cleared to travel soon, at which point he will see a specialist on his ailing right elbow.