The Toronto Blue Jays will have to navigate another post-season series without their star shortstop.
Bo Bichette was not included on the 26-man roster for the ALCS against the Seattle Mariners, Sportsnet’s Hazel Mae reported on Sunday ahead of Game 1.
Bichette also missed the ALCS due to a knee sprain that has sidelined him since early September.
He began light running at Yankee Stadium ahead of Game 4 and faced live hitting in Toronto a day prior, providing optimism for his return.
However, the two-time all-star’s status for Sunday’s series opener was pushed into doubt on Saturday when he was seen running the bases for the first time since his injury and appeared to be in discomfort.
In video taken by Sportsnet, Bichette was seen leading off from first base, taking off for second and grimacing after rounding the bag before pulling up. He then walked over to third base where Blue Jays bench coach Don Mattingly, first base coach Mark Budzinski, medical director Andrew Pipkin and strength and conditioning coach Scott Weberg were overseeing his running and dropped to the turf. The group conferred for a couple minutes before Bichette, visibly frustrated, walked off the field gingerly.
The 27-year-old would have provided a big boost to a Blue Jays offence that is already rolling with 34 runs in four post-season games.
He was slashing .311/.357/.483 through 139 games while leading MLB in hits and doubles before the injury. Bichette finished second in both categories despite missing the final 20 games of the season.
First pitch of Game 1 goes Sunday at 8:08 p.m. ET / 5:08 p.m. ET with live coverage on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
