Winning the AL East allowed the Blue Jays to bypass the wild card round, and get some needed time off before the ALDS begins on Saturday. The longer break created some hope that Bo Bichette (who hasn’t played since September 6 due to a left PCL sprain) could get healthy enough to be part of Toronto’s first postseason roster, yet at the moment it looks like the shortstop won’t be ready.
Jays manager John Schneider told The Athletic’s Mitch Bannon and other reporters that Bichette has yet to start running as part of his recovery process. Schneider and GM Ross Atkins were both, as Bannon put it, ” vague and cautiously optimistic” about Bichette’s availability, yet it is hard to imagine Bichette being included on the roster if he isn’t yet able to run. Such a lack of mobility would naturally rule out a return to shortstop duty, and even a DH-only or pinch-hitting role seems like a long shot. Despite the importance of Bichette’s bat to Toronto’s lineup, it hurts the Jays’ overall flexibility by devoting a roster spot to someone playing under what would seemingly be severe limitations.
Schneider said that a decision on Bichette’s status won’t be made until tomorrow, and the Blue Jays don’t have to officially announce their ALDS roster until Saturday morning. Some gamesmanship could be at play here just to not tip the Jays’ hand about Bichette to the Red Sox and Yankees’ advance scouts, but for now, the question might be if Bichette will even be available for the ALCS should the Jays advance.
Bichette’s bounce-back season was a huge part of the Blue Jays’ run to the division crown. After an injury-marred down year in 2024, Bichette rebounded to hit .311/.357/.483 with 18 home runs over 628 plate appearances this year, with a 134 wRC+ that ranked 20th among all qualified hitters in baseball. Getting Bichette back even in a bat-only capacity as a DH would be welcome news for the Jays, but all this uncertainty over one of their top players is a cloud hanging over the club’s postseason chances.
In a more positive injury update, Chris Bassitt is slated to pitch multiple innings during an intrasquad game today, which will be the final checkpoint towards the right-hander’s availability for the ALDS roster. Bassitt last pitched on September 18, and was then (retroactively) placed on the 15-day injured list the next day due to lower back inflammation. The timing has worked out well enough that the 15-day minimum will expire just prior to Game 1 of the ALDS, and Bassitt is expected to be part of Toronto’s pitching mix.
How the Jays’ pitching plans will shake out is anyone’s guess, beyond the expectation of Kevin Gausman and Shane Bieber acting in traditional starting roles. A healthy Bassitt might be viewed as a favorite for another rotation spot, and the Blue Jays are also weighing both ends of the experience spectrum in future Hall-of-Famer Max Scherzer and rookie Trey Yesavage.
One pitcher who won’t be involved in at least the ALDS roster is Jose Berrios, who went on the 15-day IL on September 25 due to inflammation in his throwing elbow. Initial scans didn’t indicate any structural damage, and Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith writes that this diagnosis was supported once Berrios got a second opinion. Since Berrios hasn’t started throwing, it is hard to project whether or not he could be available if the Blue Jays make it deeper into October. The Jays had already made the decision to move the longtime starter into a bullpen role a couple of weeks ago, and Berrios likely would’ve continued to work as a reliever during the postseason.
Atkins also had an update on first baseman Ty France, who is “feeling better” and “progressing at a level that he could be a factor for us” in the aftermath of an IL placement due to oblique inflammation. France last played on September 21 and is expected to try and face some live pitching soon, but it remains to be seen if this will come in time for France to be included on the ALDS roster. Acquired from the Twins at the trade deadline, France has hit .277/.320/.372 over 103 PA in a Jays uniform, and his right-handed bat could be a counter to Boston and New York’s left-handed pitchers.
Another Blue Jays note – Gosuke Katoh, who is in the front office for the Jays, played in their scrimmage yesterday. He was one of my favorite prospects who didn’t pan out, and was happy to see his name there.
Ichiro is also participating in scrimmage games only on defense for the M’s.
If the Jays are serious about winning, they should leave Scherzer off the roster altogether.
Scherzer was on their roster this year and the Jays were pretty serious about winning…
You weren’t watching him pitch the last month then.
Perhaps the long break gives Max a chance to catch his breath but you don’t leave a guy with his experience off the postseason roster.
The only reason to “roster” Max is for attitude.
You can’t start him ahead of other options and you can’t use him in relief with his 1st-inning ERA, especially lately with it up over 30!!!!
The Dodgers just did it with Kershaw
Other than age and HoF credentials, there is no comparison. Max has been ineffective and borderline unusable, especially lately, and particularly with how grotesquely bad he has been in his 1st inning.
If he could get thru one with minimal damage, he’s been fine.
His last six 1st innings? He’s given up 21 runs for a 1st-inning ERA of 31.5 over that stretch! How bad is that? In those six games, he’s pitched 25 innings and given up a total of 25 runs, all earned for an ERA of 9.
To be fair, allowing 4 runs over the other 19 innings (ERA of 1.89) is fine. Getting there is the trick.
He’s 40 not 33, max is done. As a Yankees fan I understand why you’d want him to be included. But from a winning perspective, he’s a coach to the pitching staff moving forward. Noway he gets an inning of postseason baseball
There is very little chance he is on the roster, as he wont start (there are 4 better starters with Bassitt and Yesavage) and you would not put him the BP over any of the BP guys or even Berrios. There is absolutely no reason to carry him.
Yesavage looks like a big part of the jays’ future but there is a reasonable good faith debate to be had on whether throwing a guy with 14 mlb innings to date into a traditional starters role in the playoffs is a good call. I don’t feel strongly on the scherzer v yesavage question one way or the other, just saying.
Yankees are starting a rookie with 73 innings pitched today and the Red Sox are starting a rookie with 19 innings pitched. Not all rookies can do it but Yesavage looks like he will be fine. It won’t effect him much other than scare the bejeesus out of him.
I’m not saying he can’t do it bullred i’m just saying it’s a legitimate question
Right? Look at how Early did for Boston in last nights’ do-or-die game
I think their best bet is to use him out of the bullpen unless they need an emergency SP along the way. Oh, and Jose Berrios was placed on the 15-day IL for general ineffectiveness, but we’ll go with elbow inflammation (wink, wink).
Scherzer’s stuff is good, his velocity is good, his location has been terrible. But that can turn around instantly. Recent performance doesn’t dictate future performance.
I’d consider three scenarios:
1) Give Scherzer the game 4 start on the world’s shortest leash, with somebody warming up when the game starts. If his location issues look fixed, he can be a difference maker. And putting a rookie out there for the start in what might be an elimination game or a clincher is asking a bit much, Scherzer is at least mentally prepped for it.
2) Start Gausman on short rest in game 4. Then you have Bieber on regular rest in game 5. But pitchers just don’t do short rest these days, so it’s a gamble how he’d do with it.
3) A full bullpen day.
If I were the Jays I’d be watching Max’s side session very carefully to decide.
Bichette’s next AB is in 2026, likely on another team.
Hard to say. He’s been hitting and throwing. He could possibly DH and PH.
Once you hit the ball, you have to run to first base. He doesn’t make the roster until he can beat Alejandro Kirk in a foot race.
Or alds or world series…
As called last week before the playoffs started, the Yankees will win against the RedSox and then win against the Bluejays to advance to the ALCS agains probably the Seattle Mariners.
It doesn’t matter this year that Bo is hurt. And I am a Bluejyas fan and have enjoyed the season.
If you were always correct, we would never have to watch the games.
Jays can do this without Bo.
Pitching and defense won’t miss him. Having his bat WOULD make things easier on offense but there is enough tough in the rest of the line-up to carry the load.
jimmertee:
The Yankees were a combined 9-17 against the Blue Jays and Red Sox this year. I know what happens in regular season doesn’t necessarily happen in the playoffs, but what exactly would you be basing this prediction on?
#Miken31
“…but what exactly would you be basing this prediction on?”
#scouteyes
NoSaint:
lol
As called for years, you are wrong AGAIN
jimmertee:
Stay out of the prediction business.
I’ve had a partially torn PCL before from sliding. I’d be shocked if he goes back to playing the field. The injury does not allow you to bend your knee/leg as you would normally (as you would when doing a quad stretch for example), so it would be very difficult to play SS with all the quick movement if it’s not 100%. It took mine about 4 months to recover fully before I could play again. He could probably still hit, depends on his running ability. If he does come back, the sprain probably wasn’t too bad
I’m sure the Jay’s just want him to hit. That would be a perfect scenario as Bo’s fielding is less than perfect. Less than average. Ok, he is the worst fielder on any team. If you have seen him run the bases I’m pretty sure he doesn’t bend his knee/leg when he does that either. Love Bo for what he can provide which is offence.
Man, times have changed. If I was Bichettes youd have to pry my bat from my dead body before I sit out in the post season.
But obviously he is wanting to make sure he’s healthy for his big payday
I mean he can’t even run the bases at this point, it’s like he can just play through it and be effective.
Don’t think times have changes, it’s a PCL strain and just being a tough guy trooper will just lead to more injury.
They’re cautious with players. It’s not like he can’t run now but in a week he can. He probably can run but they don’t want to rush it. Or he doesn’t want to rush it cause it could affect his value if he gets hurt more.
I really don’t think his value is in question at this point unless he fails to pass a physical next year.
But if he can’t run he can’t help the team, he’s a SS and doubles machine, he’s not super valuable without his legs
I’m certain he’s not 100% incapable of running and if so, that won’t change in a week or 2. That’s impossible. He can probably run but they just are easing him along. That, or he’s refusing to play.
If he has a serious injury it definitely hurts his earning potential. What are you talking about? Lol
His injury will heal, why would a team about to give him an 8 year deal worry about a non long term injury?