Toronto Blue Jays star Bo Bichette is not going to return earlier than the beginning of the postseason, supervisor John Schneider instructed reporters, Schneider stated {that a} current second analysis on the shortstop’s sprained left knee was encouraging sufficient that he might resume baseball actions later within the week.
Bichette suffered the damage a week-and-a-half in the past when he collided with Yankees catcher Austin Wells in a play at residence plate. The Blue Jays introduced the difficulty as a left knee sprain after they positioned him on the injured listing final week. Schneider specified that it’s a PCL sprain. Tuesday’s second opinion was considered as extra of a routine follow-up than a sign the workforce feared a severe damage.
It’s first rate information, all issues thought-about, although the Jays have but to firmly announce that he’ll be prepared for the beginning of the playoffs. Jon Morosi of The MLB Community reported {that a} postseason return remained a chance. That may clearly be Bichette’s aim. He would return with out having logged recreation reps for 3 weeks. It’s a suboptimal scenario however one the Jays can be completely happy to reside with if it meant getting certainly one of their finest hitters again in October.
Bo Bichette’s regular-season efficiency
Bichette’s common season concludes with a .311/.357/.483 slash throughout 628 plate appearances. He nonetheless leads the majors in hits (181) and doubles (44), although he’ll most likely relinquish the hits result in Trea Turner throughout the subsequent day or two. He’s 15 knocks up on Bobby Witt Jr., so it’s potential he’ll lead the American League in hits for the third time in his profession regardless of the damage. Bichette additionally linked on 18 homers with a career-low 14.5% strikeout price. He’s on monitor to money in as he hits free company going into his age-28 season.
Blue Jays supervisor feedback on Bo Bichette’s future
It’s potential he has performed his last regular-season recreation in a Jays uniform, although he and the workforce will hope to complete this 12 months with an extended playoff run. It stays to be seen whether or not he’d be cellular sufficient to play shortstop subsequent month.
“In an ideal world, if he can come again and play quick, nice,” Schneider stated Monday night time, through Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. “We’ll see how this goes. With how he’s shifting, it appears to me that hitting shall be slightly bit in entrance of all the pieces else. I feel we’ll know extra tomorrow or the subsequent day, but when we are able to get his bat again, hell yeah, I’ll take that.”
How will Blue Jays adapt with out Bo Bichette?
Bichette’s damage has kicked Andrés Giménez from second base to shortstop. Ernie Clement is enjoying second repeatedly, leaving third base to Addison Barger. That’s a greater defensive grouping than they’d with Bichette up the center, however Barger’s transfer to 3rd base leaves Nathan Lukes because the on a regular basis proper fielder. Lukes has been a league-average hitter total however is batting .225 with a .238 on-base share in September.
If Bichette is ready to hit however too injured to take the sphere, they’d be left to press George Springer into common proper subject work. Springer has had a resurgent season on the plate however solely began 48 video games and logged 411 2/3 innings of outfield work. Toronto additionally hasn’t closed the door on a late-season comeback from Anthony Santander.
The switch-hitting Santander has been a non-factor within the first season of a five-year deal. He hasn’t performed an MLB recreation for the reason that finish of Might due to a left shoulder difficulty however began a rehab task at Triple-A Buffalo final week. He’s working as a chosen hitter with the Bisons. Santander is likely to be restricted to a bench position if he will get again for the playoffs, particularly if Bichette is questionable for protection. Even when Santander’s first season in Toronto has been a catastrophe, Schneider would certainly welcome the chance to show to a participant who hit 44 residence runs final 12 months as an influence bat off the bench.
The Blue Jays have a magic variety of 4 to clinch a playoff berth. That ought to occur by the tip of this week. They maintain a five-game cushion over the Yankees within the AL East. They’re three video games forward of the Tigers for the AL’s high seed and 6 video games up on the AL West-leading Mariners. Locking down the division would nearly definitely guarantee they end as a top-two seed and safe a first-round bye. The Division Sequence start on Oct. 4.
