Blue Jays leave Bichette (knee) off ALDS roster

TORONTO -- The Blue Jays held retired anticipation that Bo Bichette, a cardinal cog successful a potent lineup they rode to 94 wins and the AL East title, would advancement capable to instrumentality from a genu sprain successful clip for the AL Division Series, but the shortstop was near disconnected their roster up of Game 1 against the New York Yankees.

Toronto volition besides not transportation seasoned right-hander starters Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer among their 13 pitchers.

Bichette, 27, bounced backmost from an injury-plagued 2024 play to instrumentality to erstwhile signifier successful 2025, batting .311 with 18 location runs and an .840 OPS, earlier spraining his genu connected Sept. 6 sliding into location sheet astatine Yankee Stadium. Ernie Clement and Andres Gimenez divided shortstop duties implicit the Blue Jays' last 20 regular play games.

On Friday, Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Bichette, a escaped cause aft the season, inactive had to wide moving tests and deed against velocity to beryllium activated. Schneider added the squad would not person Bichette connected the roster successful a constricted role.

"I would accidental for him to beryllium on, he'd person to play beauteous regularly," Schneider said. "Just with the mode we deploy our guys, we don't privation to deviate excessively overmuch from what we've been doing. So it's not redeeming him for a Kirk Gibson at-bat erstwhile a crippled that whitethorn not come. He'd person to beryllium beauteous regular successful immoderate capacity."

Bassitt ended the regular play connected the injured database with backmost inflammation but was eligible to instrumentality for the ALDS. He hasn't pitched since allowing 3 runs connected 8 hirs successful 4⅓ innings connected Sept. 18. Scherzer's exclusion was seemingly a strategical prime aft helium posted a 5.19 ERA implicit 85 innings this season.

The Blue Jays volition transportation 3 different right-handed starters -- Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber and rookie Trey Yesavage -- positive left-hander Eric Lauer, who recorded a 3.18 ERA crossed 15 starts and 13 alleviation appearances this season.

Gausman volition commencement Game 1 connected Saturday followed by Bieber successful Game 2 connected Sunday. Yesavage is expected to commencement Game 3 connected Tuesday successful New York. The Blue Jays could opt for Lauer to commencement oregon a bullpen crippled successful Game 4 if determination is one.

The Yankees made conscionable 1 alteration to their roster for ALDS from the wild-card series: Luis Gil, who is starting Game 1 was added, portion reliever Mark Leiter Jr. was excluded.