The Toronto Blue Jays face a challenging postseason as they prepare for the American League Championship Series (ALCS) against the Seattle Mariners without their star shortstop, Bo Bichette. The team’s management confirmed on Sunday that Bichette would not be included on the 26-man roster for the series opener, which begins today.
Bo Bichette’s Injury Status
Bo Bichette has been sidelined since early September due to a knee sprain. He also missed the American League Division Series (ALDS), further impacting the team’s lineup. Recently, hopes for his return have fluctuated.
- Bichette began light running at Yankee Stadium in preparation for Game 4.
- He participated in live hitting sessions in Toronto a day before the roster announcement.
- Despite these efforts, doubts about his readiness arose on Saturday.
Concerns During Practice
During a practice session, Bichette was observed running the bases for the first time following his injury. Unfortunately, he appeared to be in discomfort while attempting to round second base. Video footage captured by Sportsnet showed him grimacing and eventually pulling up short, indicating a potential setback.
During this same session, he was attended to by Blue Jays coaches and medical staff, including bench coach Don Mattingly and medical director Andrew Pipkin. After conferring for several minutes, Bichette, visibly frustrated, gingerly walked off the field.
Impact on Team Performance
The absence of the 27-year-old will be significant for the Blue Jays. Bichette has been a standout performer this season, leading Major League Baseball in hits and doubles before his injury. He maintained an impressive slash line of .311/.357/.483 over 139 games while finishing second in both hits and doubles, despite missing the final 20 games of the regular season.
As the Blue Jays prepare for Game 1 of the ALCS at 8:08 p.m. ET, the team will rely on their existing lineup, which has already shown strength by scoring 34 runs in their first four postseason games. Fans can catch the game live on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
