The Toronto Blue Jays will be missing their star shortstop Bo Bichette for their upcoming series against the Cleveland Guardians.
The Toronto Blue Jays will be without star shortstop Bo Bichette for their upcoming series against the Cleveland Guardians, but there’s optimism about his return. According to Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet, Bichette, who is recovering from a right calf injury, was seen participating in various activities in Cleveland on Friday, including fielding groundballs, hitting in batting cages, and running the bases. He plans to gradually increase his workload over the weekend with the goal of returning from the injured list when eligible on Tuesday.
This development is a positive sign for the Jays, who currently hold a 35-39 record and reside in last place in the American League East. Following a recent series sweep by the Boston Red Sox, the team aims to remain competitive to avoid potential major trades at the deadline. Should they consider such moves, Bichette, under contract through 2025, might be a candidate given his offensive struggles this season, batting just .237 with four home runs and 28 RBIs. His on-base percentage stands at .286, and his OPS+ has dipped to 80, below the league-average mark of 100.
Since his debut in 2019, Bichette has been pivotal for Toronto, contributing to playoff appearances in 2020, 2022, and 2023. He led the American League in hits in 2021 and 2022 and has been named an All-Star twice. With a career batting average of .293 and 93 home runs to date, he remains poised to surpass the 100-home run milestone this season.
