Bichette Out in Regular Season: Jays Hope for His Return in Playoffs

Bo Bichette to Miss Remainder of Regular Season

Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette will be unavailable for the remainder of the regular season due to a sprained left knee. However, the team, leaders of the American League East, is hopeful to have him during the playoffs. Bichette has been out of action since September 7. On Monday, he consulted Dr. Dan Cooper in Dallas for a second opinion, which coincided with the first: a sprained knee, with no structural damage and no need for surgery.

The only timeline that can be established at this moment is that he will not return for the regular season. But I think he is working hard to come back as soon as he can after.

John Schneider, Blue Jays Manager

Toronto began the day with the best record in the American League and a five-game lead in the American League East over the New York Yankees, with 12 games to play. If the Blue Jays win the division and finish with one of the top two spots in the American League, they will begin the postseason on October 4 at home. If they end in a best-of-three Wild Card Series, it would begin on September 30. Schneider indicated on Monday that Bichette may initially return as a designated hitter before being ready to play defense. Bichette was at the club’s spring training complex in Florida on Tuesday morning doing rehabilitation work and was expected to join his teammates at George M. Steinbrenner Field. The plan is for him to begin baseball activities later this week.

The second opinion was positive. It confirmed what the first one was: only a sprain in the knee, without the need for anything else, apart from rest and rehabilitation and to return as soon as possible.

John Schneider, Manager of the Blue Jays

When asked if pain was a factor, Schneider said it’s more about comfort as Bichette recovers. Bichette, 27, and a two-time All-Star, was injured on September 6 in a play at home plate against the Yankees and was placed on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to September 7. Bichette was having a great season before the injury, batting .311 with 18 home runs, 94 RBIs, and an OPS of .840 in 139 games. He leads the majors in hits (181) and doubles (44). Bichette, who can become a free agent after this year’s World Series, is the son of former Major League Baseball hitter Dante Bichette.