Toronto Blue Jays will be without Bo Bichette in the upcoming American League Division Series against the New York Yankees. The standout shortstop has been dealing with a knee sprain and remains day to day. Manager John Schneider mentioned that the decision regarding Bichette’s availability was nearing the deadline.
The series will kick off at home for Toronto on Saturday, with Bichette sustaining his injury during a game against the Yankees on September 6. Despite missing the final three weeks of the season, the 27-year-old had an impressive record, leading Major League Baseball with 181 hits in 139 games. He finished second in hits, boasting a .311 batting average, 18 home runs, and 94 RBIs.
Additionally, three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer and regular season wins leader Chris Bassitt will also be absent from the Blue Jays’ 26-man roster for the AL Division Series. Scherzer’s recent performance had been subpar, with a 9.00 ERA in his last six starts, including a defeat against the Yankees due to pitch-tipping. On the other hand, Bassitt has been sidelined since September 18 due to lower back inflammation.
Toronto’s roster for the series includes thirteen pitchers, with Kevin Gausman set to start Game 1. The Blue Jays are aiming for their first playoff win since 2016, having faced three consecutive wild-card series sweeps from 2020 to 2023.