Bo Bichette not healthy enough to make Blue Jays’ ALCS roster against Mariners

TORONTO — If Bo Bichette plays another game for the Toronto Blue Jays this season, it’ll be in the World Series.

The injured shortstop was left off the team’s roster for the American League Championship Series before Sunday night’s Game 1 matchup at the Rogers Centre against the Seattle Mariners. The omission was expected, as Bichette did not make enough progress in his rehab from a knee sprain that has sidelined him since Sept. 6.

The Blue Jays added veteran right-handers Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer to the roster after they were left off for the ALDS against the New York Yankees. In a seven-game series, the Blue Jays will likely need a Game 4 starter. With more innings to cover, the pair’s length is more valuable than it would’ve been in a five-game set.

OFFICIAL: Presenting our ALCS roster! #WANTITALL pic.twitter.com/32YoWSAnBD

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) October 12, 2025

Bichette, a franchise staple who will be a free agent at season’s end, hit .311/.357/.483 with 18 homers this season, said this week that he was optimistic about a return. He has progressed enough to face live pitching and even run the bases, though while doing the latter, he looked uncomfortable. Andrés Giménez will continue to man shortstop for the Jays, logging most of the time there since Bichette’s initial injury.

Even if he had been cleared to return, Bichette appeared likely to be limited to duty as a designated hitter. The Jays can give their shortstop another chance to come back by moving on to the World Series for the first time since 1993. If not, he may have already played his last game with the Blue Jays.