UPDATE: The Toronto Blue Jays have officially left star shortstop Bo Bichette off their roster for the AL Division Series against the New York Yankees, just announced ahead of Game 1. This decision comes as the team had hoped Bichette would recover from a knee sprain in time for the playoffs after sustaining the injury on September 6 at Yankee Stadium.
Bichette, who played a crucial role in the Blue Jays’ journey to a remarkable 94 wins and an AL East title, showcased an impressive season with a .311 batting average, 18 home runs, and an .840 OPS. However, Blue Jays manager John Schneider confirmed that the 27-year-old would need to clear running tests and face live pitching to be considered for activation. “For him to be on, he’d have to play pretty regularly,” Schneider stated, emphasizing the team’s need for consistent performance.
In addition to Bichette’s absence, the Blue Jays made several critical roster decisions. Veteran pitchers Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer will also be missing from the roster, with Bassitt sidelined due to back inflammation and Scherzer’s exclusion seen as a strategic move after struggling with a 5.19 ERA over 85 innings this season.
The Blue Jays will proceed with a pitching lineup featuring Kevin Gausman, who is set to start Game 1 on Saturday, followed by Shane Bieber in Game 2 and rookie Trey Yesavage expected to take the mound for Game 3 in New York. Left-hander Eric Lauer may either start or lead a bullpen game if needed for Game 4.
The Yankees have made one roster change, adding Luis Gil as a starter for Game 1 while excluding reliever Mark Leiter Jr. from their lineup.
This significant roster shake-up raises questions about how the Blue Jays will adapt without their star shortstop and how it will impact their playoff aspirations. Fans and analysts alike are watching closely as the ALDS unfolds, with the first pitch scheduled for Saturday.
As the situation develops, all eyes will be on how Bichette’s absence affects Toronto’s performance and strategy against a formidable Yankees team. Stay tuned for updates as the AL Division Series progresses.
