UPDATE: The Toronto Blue Jays have officially confirmed that star shortstop Bo Bichette will not be part of the roster for the AL Championship Series against the Seattle Mariners. This significant decision comes as Bichette continues to recover from a left knee sprain he sustained during a collision on September 6.
Despite showing signs of improvement, including running for the first time on Wednesday and hitting live pitching on Friday, Bichette appeared to struggle with discomfort while running the bases on Saturday. The urgency for the Blue Jays increases with Game 1 set for Sunday night at Rogers Centre.
In Bichette’s absence, the Blue Jays demonstrated their offensive strength during the AL Division Series, scoring an impressive 34 runs across four games. They notably overwhelmed the New York Yankees, racking up 23 runs in the initial two home games. However, losing Bichette is a considerable blow, as he was among the team’s top three hitters during the regular season, boasting a batting average of .311, along with 18 home runs and 94 RBIs in 139 games.
Bichette’s absence is particularly poignant as he is set to become a free agent this winter. After a challenging 2024 season, where he only managed a .598 OPS due to injuries, he rebounded to showcase his All-Star caliber form this year. Notably, he struggled defensively, ranking as the worst shortstop in the majors by multiple metrics.
With Bichette sidelined, the Blue Jays will continue to rely on Andres Gimenez, who filled in at shortstop during the division series, along with utility player Ernie Clement, who also covered the position throughout the regular season.
In a tactical shift, the Blue Jays have opted to include both veteran pitchers Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt on their ALCS roster, despite Bassitt finishing the season on the injured list with back inflammation. Both pitchers participated in a simulated game earlier this week and are expected to provide much-needed length to the pitching rotation.
As the Blue Jays prepare for this critical series, all eyes will be on their performance without Bichette and the impact of Scherzer and Bassitt returning to the mound. Fans and analysts alike are eagerly anticipating how these changes will affect Toronto’s chances in the postseason.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as the Blue Jays gear up for a crucial battle against the Mariners.
