The Blue Jays shortstop, Bo Bichette, was scheduled to run on Wednesday for the first time since suffering a sprain in his left knee last month. The Canadian team still holds out hope that their star player can return to the field during this postseason. Bichette, who is a two-time All-Star, finished the regular season on the injured list and was not included in the roster for the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees. The player participated in at-bats in a simulated game on Tuesday in Toronto against teammates Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt, and then joined the Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium.
“The last three days have been quite positive for him,” manager John Schneider commented on Wednesday. “Running today for the first time. We’ll take it day by day and listen to how he feels.”
John SchneiderSchneider added that Bichette has shown steady progress. He didn’t just hit in the cage, but also faced live pitches, knowing he would run for the first time. Bichette hasn’t played since September 6, when he suffered the sprain in his knee after a collision with Yankees catcher Austin Wells.If Toronto advances, it would open the American League Championship Series, a best-of-seven, at home on Sunday. Andrés Giménez, three-time Gold Glove winner at second base with the Cleveland Guardians, has been playing shortstop for the Blue Jays to cover for Bichette’s absence. Bichette, 27, had a standout season before the injury, batting .311 with 18 home runs, 94 RBIs, and an OPS of .840 in 139 games. He finished second in the majors in batting average, surpassed by Aaron Judge of the Yankees. Bichette, who can become a free agent after the World Series, is the son of former Major League slugger Dante Bichette.“I think he’s progressing, and we’ll continue to take it day by day,” Schneider said.
John Schneider
