UPDATE: The Toronto Blue Jays have officially announced that shortstop Bo Bichette will not join the roster for the AL Championship Series against the Seattle Mariners. This news comes as the Blue Jays prepare for Game 1, set to take place on Sunday night at Rogers Centre.
Bichette has been sidelined since suffering a left knee sprain in a collision on September 6. Despite recent recovery efforts, including running for the first time on Wednesday and facing live pitching on Friday, he exhibited discomfort while running the bases on Saturday. His absence marks a significant blow, as he was one of the Blue Jays’ top hitters in the regular season, boasting a .311 batting average with 18 home runs and 94 RBIs in 139 games.
While the Blue Jays’ offense remained potent in the AL Division Series, scoring a remarkable 34 runs over four games and dominating the Yankees’ pitching with 23 runs in their first two home games, the loss of Bichette is felt deeply. He rebounded from a challenging 2024 season to return to All-Star form, making his exclusion even more impactful.
In his absence, Andres Gimenez, the team’s former starting second baseman, has stepped in at shortstop during the division series. Utility player Ernie Clement also filled the role after Bichette’s injury, showcasing the team’s resilience and depth.
On a positive note, the Blue Jays are enhancing their pitching strategy by including both Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt on the ALCS roster. Both pitchers had recently been recovering from injuries, with Bassitt dealing with back inflammation. They participated in a simulated game earlier this week at Rogers Centre and are expected to provide much-needed length in the starting rotation.
As the Blue Jays gear up for this crucial series, all eyes will be on how they adapt to Bichette’s absence and leverage their pitching options. The stakes are high as they vie for a shot at the World Series, and the tension is palpable as fans await the first pitch.
Stay tuned for further updates as the situation develops.