TORONTO – The Blue Jays reached the World Series after surviving the first two rounds without one of their best bats of the regular season.
That could change on Friday, but where Bo Bichette actually plays and how effective he can be after a lengthy injury layoff remains very much in question.
Bichette underwent a workout Thursday at Rogers Center, which was expected to be the final hurdle to potentially clearing him to join the Blue Jays roster ahead of Game 1 of the World Series on Friday night against the Dodgers.
“I think after our training today there will be a lot more understanding of where I stand,” Bichette said before training on Thursday afternoon. “For me, I’m just trying to do everything I can to be ready for whatever I’m physically capable of. I’m ready to help the team in any capacity.”
Bichette hasn’t played since Sept. 6 when he collided with Yankees catcher Austin Wells on a play at the plate and sprained his left knee.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider indicated that shortstop (Bichette’s natural position), second base (where Bichette picked up ground balls on Thursday but hasn’t played in Triple-A since 2019) and DH could all be in play for the right-handed hitter who hit .311 with an .840 OPS during the regular season.
His addition would force someone else out of the lineup – along with possibly the fact that George Springer (who himself has been hobbled since being hit on the knee by a pitch during the ALCS) would move from DH to right field.
It was all part of the equation the Blue Jays weighed Thursday.
“I think where we are right now, there’s going to be emotions and thoughts and feelings that these guys are going to feel that they haven’t felt, regardless of whether they just played in Game 7 or haven’t played in a while,” Schneider said. “Just talking to Bo, he’s been pretty realistic about how he feels and how he’s going to feel when he’s out there. So it’s something we really have to continue to work on. I think if he’s comfortable [playing second base]I’m going to listen to players and trust them.”
The Dodgers may not have one of their best relievers available to at least start the series.
The club announced early Thursday evening that left-hander Alex Vesia was away from the team “as he and his wife Kayla navigate a deeply personal family matter.”
Manager Dave Roberts said the team were still working through selection options, including whether Vesia could be available to them at any time.
“I think right now we’re in the mode of trying to understand the process and the rules, a way that we can navigate the roster,” Roberts said. “We are going through the process of trying to fill his spot on the roster.”
The Blue Jays were more aggressive than any other team this season in taking the bat out of Aaron Judge’s hands.
Schneider made it sound like they will be even more careful with Shohei Ohtani.
“I think we’re talking about a completely different kind of animal that can do things on the field that not many people can do, with all the respect in the world to Aaron Judge and Cal Raleigh,” Schneider said.
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