Bo Bichette took a small step ahead on Wednesday in his restoration from a left PCL sprain. The star shortstop was seen jogging within the outfield at Yankee Stadium previous to Recreation 4 of the ALDS, reported Mitch Bannon of The Athletic. It’s the primary we’ve heard of on-field working work for Bichette since he went down with the knee harm on September 6. Bannon added that Bichette jogged thrice within the outfield for about 50 yards, however nonetheless had a noticeable limp when he walked again.
Bichette has been out for simply over a month since injuring his knee on a slide towards the Yankees. He’d been in a position to hit within the batting cage, however hadn’t progressed to any type of working drills till right now. Bichette was unsurprisingly left off of Toronto’s ALDS roster. Andres Gimenez has picked up the vast majority of the begins at shortstop in Bichette’s stead. He’s performed brief in every of the Blue Jays’ playoff video games up to now. Ernie Clement additionally picked up a few begins at shortstop in September.
Whereas the progress is encouraging for Bichette, he nonetheless has a number of hurdles to clear earlier than making his 2025 postseason debut. He’ll actually have to shake off the limp earlier than shifting to extra intense drills. Toronto will probably wish to see him subject floor balls at shortstop earlier than contemplating including him to the playoff roster. The ALCS begins on Sunday, so there isn’t a lot time for Bichette to get again into enjoying form earlier than the subsequent spherical. The World Collection, if the Blue Jays have been to advance that far, is likely to be a extra cheap purpose for Bichette at this level.
Toronto’s DH scenario is considerably crowded, so the very best route for Bichette to make an affect within the playoffs is likely to be off the bench, just like how the Dodgers used catcher Will Smith as he recovered from a hand fracture. Smith didn’t make an look towards Cincinnati, however has been in a position to contribute as a sub within the NLDS towards Philadelphia. He scored on Teoscar Hernandez’s go-ahead house run in Recreation 1, then knocked in a few runs with a single in Recreation 2. Smith will draw his first begin of the postseason in Recreation 3 on Wednesday.
The knee harm lower brief Bichette’s finest full season on the plate. He posted a wholesome 134 wRC+, his finest mark since his transient 46-game stint as a rookie in 2019. Bichette’s .311 batting common ranked second within the league behind solely Aaron Choose. The shortstop completed the common season with 628 plate appearances, his most since 2022. Whereas the ability and pace tailed off, Bichette confirmed the very best plate self-discipline of his profession in 2025. He lower his strikeout charge to 14.5%, the primary time he’d been beneath 19% within the huge leagues. Bichette’s 6.4% stroll charge, whereas nonetheless not nice, was his finest mark since 2019.
Toronto’s offense hasn’t felt the lack of Bichette up to now within the postseason, piling up 29 runs towards the Yankees. They lead the league with 9 playoff house runs, which is very spectacular contemplating they’ve solely performed three video games. On a person stage, the outcomes haven’t been as inspiring. Gimenez has been superb, going 3-for-11 with a few runs batted in. Glove-first veteran Isiah Kiner-Falefa has seen time at second base with Gimenez sliding over to shortstop, however has gone hitless in six at-bats and made an error in Recreation 3. Addison Barger then had his personal defensive miscue after changing Kiner-Falefa within the eventual loss.
A return within the postseason would possibly ease some considerations for potential Bichette suitors this offseason. He’ll be one of many high free brokers available on the market heading into 2026, however persistent harm points would possibly have an effect on the size and greenback quantity of his subsequent contract. Calf and finger accidents wrecked Bichette’s 2024 season. He missed time with knee and quad points in 2023. Getting again to motion throughout this playoff run might be a lift to his worth as he seems to be for a brand new deal.
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