Bo Bichette has returned to the Toronto Blue Jays’ lineup for the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. After missing games due to a left knee sprain, he has been named the Blue Jays’ cleanup hitter for Game 1, an unusual position for him as he will also play second base for the first time in his major league career.
Bichette’s Comeback
Bichette, a two-time All-Star, last played on September 6 when he collided with Yankees catcher Austin Wells. His recovery has been closely monitored, and he was eager to return for the postseason. “I feel ready, and I’m ready to get out there. I’m super excited,” Bichette said.
Manager’s Confidence
Blue Jays manager John Schneider expressed confidence in Bichette’s ability to perform at second base. “I’ve seen him do it in the minor leagues,” Schneider remarked. “As long as he felt physical strength, we felt good about putting him out there.”
Roster Changes
- Ty France has also been included on the Blue Jays’ roster for this series.
- Joey Loperfido and Yariel Rodriguez were excluded from the roster, having previously participated in the AL Championship Series.
Player Performance
This season, Bichette has had an impressive performance. He finished the regular season with a .311 batting average, 18 home runs, and 94 RBIs, marking a significant rebound from a challenging 2024 season.
Dodgers Roster Updates
- The Los Angeles Dodgers have added right-handers Edgardo Henriquez and Will Klein to their World Series roster.
- Lefty Alex Vesia was dropped due to a personal matter; he is absent from the team entirely rather than placed on the family medical emergency list.
- Former closer Tanner Scott was not included as he recovers from surgery to treat an infection.
- Clayton Kershaw, who skipped the wildcard series and missed pitching in the NLCS, is on the World Series roster and has confirmed plans to retire after this season.
The first game of the World Series takes place in Toronto, setting the stage for an exciting matchup of these two competitive teams.
