Bo Bichette’s road back to the diamond has taken a big step forward — and it could change the Blue Jays’ postseason outlook entirely. But here’s where things get interesting: despite improving daily, no one knows exactly when he’ll be game-ready.
On Wednesday, the Toronto Blue Jays’ star shortstop was scheduled to run for the first time since spraining his left knee about a month ago. That’s a milestone fans have been waiting for, especially with playoff dreams hanging in the balance. The team remains optimistic he could suit up before the end of their postseason run.
Bichette, a two-time All-Star known for his consistency at the plate, ended the regular season on the injured list and was left off the roster for Toronto’s AL Division Series showdown with the New York Yankees. To stay sharp, he logged at-bats in a simulated game on Tuesday in Toronto, going up against teammates Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt. Shortly after, he traveled to Yankee Stadium to rejoin the team.
Manager John Schneider had encouraging words: “The last three days have been pretty positive for him. Running today for the first time. We’ll take it a day at a time and just listen to how he’s feeling. I think he’s probably turned the corner a little bit in terms of making steady progress.” Schneider emphasized that this wasn’t just cage work — Bichette has been facing live pitching while mentally preparing for his first run since the injury.
The setback happened September 6, when Bichette collided with Yankees catcher Austin Wells, resulting in the knee sprain that halted his season. Since then, Cleveland Guardians’ Gold Glove second baseman Andres Gimenez has shifted to shortstop to help cover Bichette’s absence.
Before the injury, Bichette was delivering one of the best seasons of his career: a .311 batting average, 18 home runs, 94 RBIs, and an .840 OPS in 139 games. Only Yankees slugger Aaron Judge finished with a better batting average in the majors. Now, with the AL Championship Series potentially starting in Toronto this Sunday if the Jays advance, the team is anxiously monitoring his recovery.
Adding even more intrigue — and possible controversy — is Bichette’s contract situation. At 27, he’s eligible to become a free agent after the World Series. Would Toronto risk rushing him back knowing his long-term future on the team is uncertain? Or would they play it safe, prioritizing his health over a desperate playoff push?
He’s also baseball royalty by blood — his father, Dante Bichette, was one of the league’s most feared hitters in the ’90s. Now it’s Bo’s turn to be in the spotlight under completely different circumstances.
Will the Blue Jays gamble on his return if they keep winning? Or will they err on the side of caution? Drop your thoughts below — is it worth the risk to get Bichette back on the field for the postseason?
