Latest update on Bo Bichette's status and where he fits in the Toronto Blue Jays starting lineup
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Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette has been taking reps at second base, but will more than likely be the DH in the starting lineup for the World Series.
If Bo Bichette says he'll be ready, believe it.
Blue Jays fans, check out who was running the bases today at Rogers Centre.
Bo Bichette at second base?
Bichette took ground balls at second base Wednesday afternoon, testing his left knee at a position he has never before played at the MLB level.
The question of how the Blue Jays would use Bichette remains, so seeing him take ground balls at second base at Rogers Centre Wednesday adds intrigue.
Asked where Bo Bichette will play between DH, SS and 2B, John Schneider said he «could see all three of those things happening» depending on how Bichette progresses. The SS continues to hit velocity, run and work out on the infield.
"You notice where he's taking ground balls right here... he's taking them at 2nd base, that's really interesting." Buck Martinez joins @BlakeMurphyODC and @juliackreuz to discuss Bo Bichette's possible role in the starting lineup.
A lifelong shortstop, Bichette did play a total of 30 games at second base while coming up through the Blue Jays' minor-league system, but he hasn't appeared there at any level since 2019, when he played second once at triple-A.
The year before that he played nine games at second for a double-A New Hampshire team managed by John Schneider.
It's possible the Blue Jays are merely exploring their options and Bichette will be the one who needs DH at-bats.
In the scenario that Bichette is primarily a pinch hitter or DH in the World Series, the second base option may be more of a late-game contingency than a plan-A.
It's possible the Blue Jays are merely exploring their options and Bichette will be the one who needs DH at-bats.
In the scenario that Bichette is primarily a pinch hitter or DH in the World Series, the second base option may be more of a late-game contingency than a plan-A.
For weeks now, the Blue Jays have used this as some added motivation, desperately trying to keep this dream season rolling long enough for Bichette to return.
Besides, it wouldn't feel right without him. Not only is Bichette a key piece of the 2025 team, batting .311 with an .840 OPS, he has been one of this organization's pillars for close to a decade.
Despite the long layoff, Schneider isn't worried about Bichette's abilities when he returns for the World Series.
«Bo's a different cat, man. You don't feel bad about him missing three weeks and coming in and hitting. He's that talented with the bat in his hands. At the very least, if that's what we get, that's great," the manager said. "We'll just kinda see where the next couple days take us and how he impacts our decisions and how he impacts our team. But you're talking about a guy who led our team in RBIs, he missed the last 20 games of the season, so if we can get him back in any capacity, we're gonna welcome him.»
What will Bo Bichette's role coming off injury be in the World Series?
MLB.com's Keegan Matheson figures that Bo Bichette will be on the World Series roster as a designated hitter, because Andres Gimenez is the better option defensively.
With Bichette at DH this would of course mean that George Springer would have to move back to the outfield, which at this juncture doesn't feel the greatest according to Matheson.
The MLB Network panel gave their thoughts on whether Bichette should be back in the the fold, to which they all concurred, "If Bo Bichette is healthy, he has got to be in the starting lineup."
Throughout the regular season, the 27-year-old had been one of the Blue Jays' most important hitters, slashing .311/.357/.483 with 18 home runs and 94 RBIs. At the time of his injury, his 181 hits were the most in MLB.
The World Series is set to kick off on Friday, with the Blue Jays hosting the Dodgers at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT.
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