Blue Jays Exclude Bichette Due to Knee Injury in ALDS Roster Decision

Basio badr

ago 3 hours

Blue Jays Exclude Bichette Due to Knee Injury in ALDS Roster Decision

Enhanced Title: Toronto Blue Jays Strategically Adjust Roster for AL Division Series Against Yankees

TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays have made pivotal roster decisions ahead of their highly anticipated American League Division Series opener against the New York Yankees. Despite initial optimism, star shortstop Bo Bichette was not included, while veteran pitchers Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer were also omitted from the roster.

Challenges and Changes in the Blue Jays Lineup

Bichette, a crucial player in the Blue Jays’ potent lineup that led them to 94 victories and the AL East title, suffered a setback with a knee sprain on September 6 during a slide at Yankee Stadium. His impressive 2025 performance saw him hitting .311 with 18 home runs and an .840 OPS, following a challenging, injury-heavy 2024 season. In his absence, Ernie Clement and Andres Gimenez have shared responsibilities at shortstop for the final 20 regular-season games.

Manager’s Insight on Bichette’s Exclusion

Blue Jays manager John Schneider explained that Bichette, a pending free agent, needed to pass certain running and hitting tests before being considered for activation. Schneider emphasized the team’s strategy, stating, “He would have to play regularly. We don’t aim to shift our successful strategy into a limited role scenario.”

Strategic Pitching Decisions

Chris Bassitt, who concluded the regular season on the injured list due to back inflammation, has been absent since September 18 after conceding three runs across 4⅓ innings.
Max Scherzer, who recorded a 5.19 ERA over 85 innings this season, was excluded as a strategic measure.

The Blue Jays have selected three other right-handed starters — Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber, and rookie Trey Yesavage — along with left-hander Eric Lauer, who sustained a 3.18 ERA across 15 starts and 13 relief appearances.

Game Schedule and Rotation

Game 1 sees Kevin Gausman taking the mound on Saturday, followed by Shane Bieber in Game 2 on Sunday. Rookie Trey Yesavage will start Game 3, with the potential for Eric Lauer to open Game 4, should it be necessary.

Schneider revealed a preference for having Yesavage commence his roles at home, enabling Bieber to take on the road start, stating, “With Trey’s flexibility, he remains accessible for various roles later in the series.”

Yankees’ Roster Adjustment

Meanwhile, the Yankees made a singular roster change from their wild-card series. Luis Gil, starting Game 1, was added, and reliever Mark Leiter Jr. was excluded. Max Fried is set to start Game 2 for the Yankees, with Carlos Rodon expected to pitch for Game 3.