“No Significant Structural Damage” For Bo Bichette Following Knee Injury
August 1st, 2023 at 3:11pm CST • By Tim Dierkes3:11pm: Bichette has “no significant structural damage,” according to manager John Schneider, with Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reporting. According to Nicholson-Smith, an “IL stint hasn’t been ruled out but [the] Jays will play it out for a few days first.” Based on this information, it appears the Blue Jays may have dodged a serious injury to Bichette. Nonetheless, earlier today they acquired Paul DeJong from the Cardinals.
9:45am: The Blue Jays expect to have more information about Bichette’s injury by noon ET, tweets Buster Olney of ESPN. That doesn’t guarantee they’ll publicly divulge anything at that point, but it’ll give them around six hours to search for alternatives if Bichette ends up missing time and the Jays feel it best to seek for help from outside the organization.
8:49am: Blue Jays star shortstop Bo Bichette suffered a right knee injury last night, and his prognosis figures to weigh heavily on the club’s trade deadline plans. In the third inning of the club’s eventual loss to Baltimore, Bichette hit a potential double down the right field line, rounding first and then slamming on the brakes when right fielder Anthony Santander got the ball in quickly. As you can see in the linked video, Bichette’s injury was significant enough that he gave himself up between first and second base. He was able to walk off the field on his own accord, but with a limp.
As The Athletic’s Kaitlyn McGrath reported last night, the Jays are currently calling the injury “right knee discomfort.” It stands to reason the club might keep further information under wraps until after today’s 5pm central time trade deadline so as not to reduce their leverage in talks for some sort of help at shortstop. The Blue Jays currently hold the last wild card spot in the American League.
Bichette, the AL leader in batting average and hits, is irreplaceable. He’s rarely missed a game in the last three seasons, and was well on his way to a five-WAR season. Certainly Jays GM Ross Atkins cannot go out and find another player of Bichette’s caliber. Santiago Espinal replaced Bichette in the game and represents the short-term solution. MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson ran through the Jays’ Triple-A shortstop situation, which does not present a clear replacement.
Matheson throws out a pair of potentially-available names in Tim Anderson of the White Sox and Paul DeJong of the Cardinals. The Blue Jays and Cardinals already got together a couple days ago on the Jordan Hicks trade, and Atkins has suggested “bigger concepts” were discussed (Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reporting).
As McGrath put it, adding a right-handed bat to the lineup was already “a huge priority” for Toronto, but it’s possible adding a middle infielder could jump to the top of the list. The team has used Whit Merrifield, Espinal, and Cavan Biggio at second base, all of whom are capable of playing elsewhere on the diamond.
Plenty of middle infielders have already been on the move in the past week, including Jace Peterson, Nicky Lopez, Amed Rosario, and Kiké Hernandez. Most second basemen likely to be available are hitting quite poorly this year, such as Kolten Wong, Tony Kemp, and Aledmys Diaz. Elvis Andrus is capable of playing shortstop, but he too is struggling with the bat.
This is tragic. Hate to see a guy go down especially given his team’s circumstances. Hoping for the best for Bo
Yes some great news for the Jays this morning. Smh.
Tragic? Buy a dictionary.
causing or characterized by extreme distress or sorrow.
Jays watching Bichette who’s hitting .321/.352/.494 go down shortly after Romano while they’re in the hunt for a playoff birth is certainly a tragic series of events for the Jays front office and coaching staff.
??
This is what happens when you play on concrete. If you wanna know what playing on concrete does to your knees, take a look at how Vlad Guerrero sr walks currently.
Totally agree, these teams pay all that money for players and then let them destroy themselves on a poor playing surface.
While tough for the Jays players, staff and fans it is certainly not tragic.
Totally agree, these teams pay all that money for players and then let them destroy themselves on a poor playing surface.
While tough for the Jays players, staff and fans it is certainly not tragic
Not saying I disagree with you….would love to see them play on grass, but the Jays have been one of the healthiest teams in baseball this year… maybe wear and tear is catching up?
They have been healthy, this year? Their team is also pretty young. You know what happens when you sign older players, like all fans want. You pay for DL days see last year of Donaldsons deal. Didn’t even get to sign him to a big deal.
Jays had the 11th oldest team as of June 2023. Did not realize the team was “pretty young”.
How about all the regular hitters in the lineup. You know the ones who would get injured from playing on concrete. Clown
26 players on a team. All count. The bench players (Biggio, Espinal, pick a catcher, random dude), all well under 30.
I understand you and other Jays fans like to name-call. I just ask you to be smarter before you post an absolutely ignorant and atrocious comment. Many players played on turf and carved out 20+ seasons in the bigs.
Not reading that novel clown
That might just sink the Jays there.
I could see the Jays make a trade with Reds for SS Jose Barrero who is at AAA for Reds. Reds would likely trade him for a low minor league prospect.
No way the Reds trade a 25-year-old with a .897 OPS in AAA for a low minor league prospect.
It’s also a .897 OPS at a very hitter friendly league in less than 150 plate appearances from a guy with -2.8 career bWAR in the Majors.
DeJong has been better and is cheaper than Anderson.
Plus DeJong isn’t an arrogant, dramatic clown like Anderson.
but also he hasnt been very good.
Hes been more than decent this year. Strikes out a lot but has a lot of pop for a shortstop. And the Cards would probably let him go for a lottery ticket as they arent going to exercise a 12m option
Time for Vlad, Kirk, and Springer to step up and carry the offense. Bo’s not the only good hitter on the team, he’s just the only one who’s been consistent, time for others to step up
Bo has had a good year. That wasn’t necessarily true last year. The others are streaky: read MLB for the most part.
Bo lead the league in hits last year..
What? How? Wait?
Replace from within. Hand the spot to Otto Lopez or Ernie Clement. And if someone will take Biggio, jump at the chance!
if his injury is a couple weeks sure but if it’s a month or the season you can’t replace a 300+ hitter who is tied for team lead in HR with a minors guy.
You don’t have to replace him at that position. You could get the offense from somewhere else on the diamond and then get defense at SS. Varsho might have to have a lesser role to fit the offensive component in, but that’s fine.
Neither Lopez or Clement has earned the right. Neither can play adequate shortstop. Neither would be an upgrade over Espinal. Neither deserve to be promoted over Horwitz or Davis Schneider.
Cardinals and Toronto already worked out a trade so they should already have a foundation for talks
Miguel Rojas for cash considerations
Oh my
Nick Madrigal go get him
You hate to see it. Great player. Get well soon Bo.
Call the mets
Lindor won’t be traded, that leaves who?
Luis Guillorme?
Twins might be willing to trade Polanco. Not certain Toronto would be interested, but if he’s healthy, he could potentially help the lineup.
he’s their 3B right now and they are fighting to stay ahead in the division. they aren’t moving him
As a Twins fan, I’d hate to see Polanco go anywhere.
This is one of the reasons to Royals should have waited a day to trade Nicky Lopez. They could’ve probably gotten a better deal from the Blue Jays (Meaning a pitcher with a 9.6 ERA instead of 14)
Def could have done better than Hearn.
if Bichette is out they don’t need just a defensive replacement. they need someone who can actually hit the ball.
It’s not hard to replace Bo’s defense at SS. He’s not a good defensive SS. They need to replace him in the order but that could come at another position. Id be happy to get an excellent defensive SS and a good offensive corner outfielder.
DeJong and O’Neill.
Play Espinal, get a bat and move Varsho to the bench. Good strategy.
Call SD
Send KK back home to the Rays. You can have Siri or Margot
that will help the jays SS question
Siri. Pass. Mr flamboyant.
Actually, Ill walk back my comment about Siri. He’s an asset, just not my style.
Call the reds inda is on the block right
India is on the injired list
He’s a second baseman.. and currently injured.
Also india doesn’t have the arm for ss
No just a CF for CF swap. They can have Brujan if they need a SS
Sell!!!
Hey Jays, you should trade for Mancini or Suzuki.
Love,
Jed Hoyer
Couple of great SS options there.
i don’t think this is as catastrophic as it appears.
if he’s injured the jays will undoubted swing a trade for someone not being offered up by a seller. they’ll probably look for a mutually benefiting trading partner.
replacing bo, or at least getting someone w a bat and defense is a good thing. whoever they trade for can play second base next year and save us all the pain of watching biggio and his sub par play defensively and w the bat.
DeJong is an easy and cheap sign with a club they just did business with. Highly likely to happen imho
the jays were already rumoured to be interested in Anderson for 2B so this might magnify that.
I also throw out the possibility of JP Crawford if Seattle is willing to consider moving him.
Anderson or DeJong seem like the most likely. Not sure they want Crawford since he bats left and we already have a hard time with leftys.
Its definitely slim pickings for ss right now
I dont see the Jays competing without Bo, their offense is quite bad. However, if they do try to compete, they need to trade for 2 big bats, 2B and corner OF, can slot Espy at SS, he is bad but not that much worse than Dejong or Anderson offensively. Varsho cant really play every day with his bat, if the Jays want to win that is.
They are 7th in wrc+
Their run creation just feels bad because they randomly struggle with RISP, it’s a long enough sample size that I don’t think it’s all of a sudden going to improve but it’s also random enough that I think one good bad could go a long way in correcting course
RISP is the biggest issue of course, but also if you remove Bo, the offense is just not good. Lets use last night as an example. Jays had 5 hits, Bo had 2 of them before he left in the 3rd inning.
7th. Ok. Now break it down between their showings vs playoff contenders vs bottom feeders. Do not bring misleading numbers to the discussion.
Do the other 29 teams not play each other you dunce? How is that misleading it’s the complete same stat across the board for all teams. Well done
Dunce? Oh boy here we go. Name calling tough talk – watch out!!!
When you calculate the Jays’ performance against teams over .500 you will have made a point. Until then, misleading. You bring that up like a badge of honour when it had NOTHING to do with DigD’s comment.
Their wrc+ ranking reflect their overall performance, the same way that it would for the 6 teams ahead and the 22 teams below.
They are hit better against the A’s and not as good against the rays. Your revelation that the jays hit better against worse teams is irrelevant, you have zero point. Was this slow enough for you to follow ?
“Their wrc+ ranking reflect their overall performance, the same way that it would for the 6 teams ahead and the 22 teams below.”
Except you walked it back with this gem:
“Their run creation just feels bad because they randomly struggle with RISP, it’s a long enough sample size that I don’t think it’s all of a sudden going to improve but it’s also random enough that I think one good bad could go a long way in correcting course”
Stop citing things you can’t articulate, understand or comprehend. It’s apparent you are clueless based on resorting to name-calling rather than understanding the true game of baseball. At least be classy when you attempt to be intelligent.
Lol thanks for copy and pasting my point, it’s a great one I’m glad you agree.
Sorry you’re so emotional about baseball and feel the need to whine so extensively in an effort to feel heard. It’s funny that your are throwing stones from the brilliant mind of the jays are better against bad teams! Serious genius, we are not worthy. Go away grandpa
sounds like they are in on trying to require Teoscar. would likely DH
They should be.
Why not a third trade with the Cardinals? DeJong for Hagen Danner and Trent Palmer.
not a great option with his season going how it is but the brewers probably would be willing to part with willie adames. although he is a clubhouse leader, don’t want another hader situation happening
Brewers aren’t moving Willy. They should. He’s in a down year, they show no sign of being willing to extend him (nor should they with his recent play) and they could still get good value back for him right now. But they’re not moving their starting SS in the middle of a playoff race. The fans and the clubhouse would completely riot after last year’s Hader debacle.
Maybe playing for a team in the hunt will motivate him. Tiger’s should pay down the majority of Baez’ contract, and ship him to the Jays for a PTBNL. When Bichette comes back, Baez moves to 2B. Gives Toronto a RH bat, that may kick into gear. Next year, he can cover 3B. Little cost to the Blue Jays, and won’t hurt to cut him if he doesn’t work out, as Detroit would be paying the majority. He could play like he did for the Mets. He could be the next Hosmer. He would have a higher ceiling than anything else available on the Market.
They could get 5 more years of Carlos Correa….
Bo is the heart and soul of the Jays, and you can’t replace him!
Yes he is, but if the injury is major, should they just give up?
Jonathan Villar is still a FA. No need to trade.
Payback for Manoah hitting Ward?
Karma?
sure that must be it.
The baseball Gods have spoken.
How many “baseball gods” are there?
Well there’s 3 Moe, Larry and Curly. 4 if you count Shemp.
Moe- If you’re good I’ll give you some C A N D Y.
Shemp- You know I don’t smoke.
Baseball gods are mean & capricious. Lucky that Bichette didn’t catch his hair in a wood chipper or worse.
Or his blow dryer catch on fire.
Tigers fans would love inquires about Javier Baez…
@WestVillageTiger
Only if the Kittens pick up the whole contract and chip in a few more prospects.
Think outside the box. Trade for Jack Flaherty & convert him to SS. He sucks as a SP but he might fill in nicely as a SS.
This. Talk Vince Carter out of retirement, as well
What’s Tony Fernandez doing these days?
I don’t know if Flaherty has enough arm for SS.
Probably right on Flaherty. Maybe Lorenzen then plus he can DH too.
Unlucky injury, but lucky timing. This would be much worse if it happened in todays game
Call the Padres about Ha-Seong Kim.
Can play 2B or SS and elite defense.
I’m sure padres would be willing to trade him for the right price. Has another year of control too.
Would love Kim. Are the Padres really sellers though?
Should be.
Given the 1.5 years of team control for Kim they should trade him. Idk if they will
A package of
Zulueta, Horwitz, Schneider, Leo Jiminez should be enough.
Are you coming from a SD perspective? Kim’s been one of their best performers and they aren’t going to wave the white flag on ‘24. Heck, just this morning there’s a report that they are shopping for offensive upgrades, so they don’t appear to be giving up on this year even. Unless there’s some sort of surplus or succession plan, I can’t see them trading Kim.
Padres don’t have enough $$ to go around. That’s just fact.
They signed cronenworth and bogaerts to those mega deals and cron’s bat is fine at 2nd. Subpar at 1st.
So do you keep Kim and keep cronenworth at 1st or do you sell high on Kim and move cronenworth back to 2nd and upgrade 1B offense
.
Idk where people get this “if you do x you waive the white flag on 2024” stuff.
You can make moves and still shoot for 2024 just from a different angle. Padres want to compete in 2024 they need to upgrade 1B and DH
Yeah. I do get the buyer seller angle. Do you think their budget is tapped out though? And would you really take a package of two minor league relievers, a utility prospect with no power, and a positionless prospect with minor league power numbers but not major league power projection, all of whom need 40 man spots next year (3 currently already on the 40 and 2 who will be in their last option year already next season without having graduated to AAA yet), for one of your best performing players on a reasonable contract?
They’re close to max spending as things stand. Before even thinking about a Soto extension.
Far as what it would cost to acquire Kim I went off baseball trade values.
They rated Kim at like 17 ish which seemed low so I went 20
Zulueta Schneider Horwitz Leo Jiminez (2B/SS) came in around 18-19
I don’t see a Soto extension in the cards for the Padres. The man just doesn’t like baseball.
Kim would be a nice fit for this year and the next, he did however also jam his shoulder pretty badly the other day and his status is day to day at the moment.
He played last night at DH. So not that serious of an injury I’d assume if he can still pick up a bat and hit.
Although I agree with you that the Padres should be doing some selling it seems they are not with today’s trade.
Karma is a b…. The Angel come to town with virtually every good position player other than Ward on the IL. Chapman publicly disses the “B” squad, Manoah, then ends the season of Ward.
Chapmen should have kept his mouth shut. I wonder if Toronto would be any good with its entire A squad on the IL?
Karma is indeed a b..
The baseball gods are mulling over what to do with Chapman. With the Jays out of it and the injury to Bichette the Jays GM trades Chapman to the Washington Nationals for CJ Abrams. There’s your SS. Chapman is a FA at the end of the season anyways. .
Why would the Nats do that ? Jay fans are ridiculous
Well the Nationals might think they have a chance to extend Chapman and at least he gets out of Canada where you get taxed twice.
Lol
As a Blue Jays fan, that series didn’t feel good. They won the series but that was overshadowed by the stuff you mention.
Angels are a B squad who lost two of three to the Jays. Should have been a sweep. If anything, B is a generous mark for the Halos.
Alex Manoah for Vaughn Grissom straight up
Must be a Jays fan
Not sure why? Ones had a stinker of a year, and one can’t crack his teams bench over Nicky Lopez… pedigree has to go to the guy drafted in the first round and finished #3 in CY voting last year, over an 11 round draft pick in aaa who showed some flashes in the show last year
I see your logic , but at the moment , with Manoah it’s not just that he hasn’t pitched well, I believe he’s seen around MLB as a head case , despite the upside with talent.
No gm will touch him for anything significant at the moment. Until he shows more maturity.
Very true, and you’re probably right, until he gets that ego in check there probably won’t be much interest in bringing him into a clubhouse with championship aspirations and trying to fix him… he’s probably the odd man out on his own team once they go back to a five man rotation.
Yes. My opinion only of course. We all know about opinions lol But I believe he is a case of success going to the head.
He has cy young contender talent.
I’d be more worried about Springer if I were a Jay fan than Bichette. Springer seems to have completely lost it ala Matt Carpenter of a few years ago. WTH is wrong with George Springer?
They could check in with Atlanta for Nicky Lopez.
If the Yankees are selling then they can consider IKF. Not a great fielder but if Bo comes back later in the year he fits well as an additional utility player.
Toronto doesn’t need anymore cardinal rejects. Aim higher
Not sure if an in division trade can work here but Jorge Mateo might be a great stop gap option. His playing time has been decreasing lately but he can still give a team gold glove defense and world class speed. He also is capable of getting hot at the plate. The Os would probably expect a little bit of an overpay but he would fit in nicely for the remainder of the season without costing a ton.
Would be nice to have tatis jr. In the shortstop position for sure
Jay’s can have Torres or DJLM
Even when Bichette comes back, the team is better with DeJong at short and Bichette as DH.
Just heard about this! Good news as to the Future of BO!
DeJong hasn’t played well since his AS year. Not going to hit for average much like Chapman with similar numbers at the plate and can play the field with a great glove and range. Although he has mainly played SS in his major league career it isn’t out of reach for him to play 3rd or 2nd. He could potentially be the Jays starting 3rd base next year having played it full time until the age of 22. 2 year club option he is going to have to be productive for the club to exercise it and I believe he can be as productive as Chapman at this point.