Imagine a baseball team clinching a pivotal series victory without one of its brightest stars sidelined by injury—now picture the tough decisions looming as they gear up for the next big challenge. That's the dramatic story unfolding with the Toronto Blue Jays as they prepare for the ALCS against the Seattle Mariners.
The Blue Jays delivered a standout performance by sweeping the New York Yankees in four games during the ALDS last week, and what's even more remarkable is that they accomplished this feat without relying on their standout shortstop. Bo Bichette, whose stats and highlights you can check out on Baseball-Reference, has been sidelined on the injured list since early September due to a sprained left knee, preventing his involvement in the Division Series. With the ALCS kicking off tomorrow, the team's brass hasn't finalized his availability yet, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
But here's where it gets intriguing: the latest updates on Bichette's recovery could hinge on some carefully monitored tests. Earlier today, Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith shared insights from Blue Jays manager John Schneider, revealing that Bichette took swings against live pitching yesterday and practiced base-running today. Schneider emphasized that Bichette's reaction to this increased activity will play a key role in deciding if he'll be included on the ALCS roster. MLB.com's Keegan Matheson provided more details, noting that Schneider indicated this call would be among the final ones before rosters are locked in by tomorrow morning. Matheson also observed that Bichette seemed to show some lingering discomfort during the base-running session, suggesting he might be limited to a designated hitter (DH) spot if he returns. For those new to baseball, the DH is a position where a player focuses solely on batting and doesn't play in the field, allowing them to rest injuries while still contributing offensively—think of it as a strategic lineup tweak to maximize talent.
As Matheson pointed out, slotting Bichette in as DH would mean shifting George Springer (whose player page is on Baseball-Reference) to the outfield, potentially bumping outfielders like Nathan Lukes or Anthony Santander from the starting lineup. This move would only make sense if the team is rock-solid that Bichette can deliver meaningful production at the plate. On the flip side, if Bichette isn't fully recovered but is progressing steadily, Toronto might still include him on the roster, even if he's not ready for Game 1. However, this strategy carries significant risks: should he end up back on the injured list during the ALCS, he'd be ineligible for the World Series if the Jays advance, creating a high-stakes gamble that could pay off or backfire spectacularly.
Shifting gears to the pitching staff, Toronto opted for a daring approach by excluding both Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer from their ALDS lineup. These seasoned starters were sidelined for solid reasons—Scherzer faced struggles in the late season, while Bassitt wasn't at full strength after landing on the injured list in late September. This worked out fine for the five-game ALDS, where the team leaned on aces like Kevin Gausman, Trey Yesavage, and Shane Bieber to shoulder the starting load. But Schneider told reporters, including Nicholson-Smith, that both Bassitt and Scherzer are back in contention for the ALCS roster to provide "more length" in a potential seven-game showdown. All these decisions must be finalized by 9 AM CT tomorrow when rosters are submitted for both teams.
And this is the part most people miss: roster moves like these can spark heated debates about team strategy and player health. Is pushing an injured star like Bichette into action worth the risk, or should the Jays prioritize caution to avoid deeper setbacks? Some fans argue it's a bold gamble that could secure a championship, while others see it as reckless, potentially sacrificing long-term success for short-term glory. What do you think—should teams roll the dice on partially recovered players in high-pressure playoffs, or play it safe? Share your thoughts in the comments below; I'm curious to hear differing viewpoints on this baseball dilemma!
