Bo Bichette Out of Regular Season, But Eyes Playoffs
Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette will be unavailable for the remainder of the regular season due to a sprain in his left knee. However, the team, leader of the American League East, expects to have him for 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 confirmed the initial diagnosis: a knee sprain, with no structural damage and no need for surgery.Toronto started 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 remaining 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 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-related activities later this week.The only timeline that can be given at this moment is that he will not be back for the regular season.
John Schneider, Blue Jays manager
Bichette, 27, and a two-time All-Star, was injured on September 6 in a play at the 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).The second opinion was positive.
John Schneider, manager of the Blue Jays
