Blue Jays without Bichette in ALDS vs Yankees; Scherzer and Bassitt out

The Toronto Blue Jays have confirmed their roster for the American League Division Series, and the most notable news is the absence of Bo Bichette, their talented shortstop. Bichette, a key player in the team’s success during the regular season, did not recover in time from a knee sprain for the start of the series against the New York Yankees.

Key Absences in the Toronto Roster

In addition to Bichette, the Blue Jays will also be without right-handed starting pitchers Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer on their 13-pitcher roster. These absences represent a significant challenge for the Canadian team.Bichette, who had an outstanding season in 2025, with a batting average of .311, 18 home runs and an OPS of .840, suffered the injury on September 6. Ernie Clement and Andrés Giménez have shared the shortstop position in the last games of the regular season.

For him to be on the team, he would have to play quite regularly.

John Schneider, Blue Jays Manager

Manager John Schneider explained that Bichette needed to pass running and batting tests to be activated, and that he would not be included in a limited role. Bassitt, who finished the regular season on the injured list for back inflammation, was eligible to return, but was not included. Scherzer’s exclusion appears to be a strategic decision, following a season with an ERA of 5.19 in 85 innings.Right-handed starters Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber, and rookie Trey Yesavage, along with lefty Eric Lauer, round out the pitching rotation.Gausman will open Game 1, followed by Bieber in Game 2. Yesavage will start Game 2. Bieber, winner of the American League Cy Young Award in 2020, will pitch Game 3 at Yankee Stadium. The Blue Jays could opt for Lauer or a bullpen game in Game 4, if necessary.

With the way we use Trey, we keep him available later in the series as well, in any type of role we need.

John Schneider, Blue Jays Manager

Regarding the Yankees, the team made only one change to their roster for the divisional series. Luis Gil was added, while Mark Leiter Jr. was excluded. Max Fried will pitch Game 2 for the Yankees, and Carlos Rodón is expected to be the Game 3 starter.