The Toronto Blue Jays are planning to send shortstop Bo Bichette on a rehab assignment with the triple-A Buffalo Bisons on Tuesday.
Bichette will stay with the team through their weekend series on the road against the Atlanta Braves before joining the Bisons, Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi and Arden Zwelling reported Friday.
The 26-year-old Bichette has not played since July 19 due to a calf strain and was recovering at the team’s spring training complex in Dunedin, Fla. It’s the second time this season Bichette has been put on the injured list with a calf strain.
Bichette was in the midst of the poorest offensive output of his six-year career before the injury with a .222/.275/.320 slash line and just four home runs through 80 games this season.
Meanwhile, outfielder/third baseman Addison Barger will be available off the bench Friday night, manager John Schneider said.
Barger left Tuesday’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies due to left knee discomfort.
The 24-year-old rookie is slashing .211/.247/.410 with seven home runs and 26 RBIs this season.
Closer Jordan Romano is done for the season as his rehab has been going slower than expected.
Schneider said Romano won’t have enough runway to return in time.
The 31-year-old had surgery to repair an impingement in his right elbow on July 3. Romano began throwing at the Blue Jays’ complex in Dunedin earlier this week as the Blue Jays had intended to have him back with the club before the end of the season.
Second baseman Orelvis Martinez is eligible to begin a minor-league assignment Sunday as he completes the final 15 days of his 80-game suspension set to conclude Sept. 23.
Martinez tested positive for clomiphene, a performance-enhancing substance, just two days after making his major league debut.
The 22-year-old Martinez will not return to the Blue Jays roster this season, a source told Zwelling.
