Bo Bichette will make his return to the lineup on Friday, as the Toronto Blue Jays announced Friday the star shortstop is on the roster for the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers after missing almost two months with a sprained knee.
Bichette has taken outfielder Joey Loperfido’s spot from the American League Championship Series roster after Loperfido was added midway through that series against the Seattle Mariners to replace the injured Anthony Santander.
Additionally, first baseman Ty France was added to the roster in place of righty reliever Yariel Rodriguez, meaning the Blue Jays will carry 14 hitters and 12 pitchers into the series.
Bichette’s addition to the roster will provide a major boost to the offence, as the 27-year-old was named a finalist for the Silver Slugger Award at shortstop after hitting .311 (second in the majors) with 18 home runs and 94 runs batted in this season.
Bichette has not played since he suffered his knee injury in an awkward play at the plate in a 3-1 loss to the New York Yankees on Sept. 6.
It is still unknown where the Blue Jays might deploy Bichette on the field in order to get his bat in the lineup. Manager John Schneider told reporters at media day on Thursday that second base, shortstop and designated hitter are all options, and that regular designated hitter George Springer is open to playing in the outfield, if needed.
In 716 career games in the majors, Bichette has made 31 appearances as a designated hitter, and every other appearance has been at shortstop. The last time he played second base professionally was in Triple-A Buffalo in 2019.
“After our workout today there’ll be a lot more understanding of where I stand,” Bichette said Thursday. “I’m just trying to do everything I can to be ready for whatever I’m physically capable of doing.”
The full Blue Jays roster is as follows:
The World Series gets underway Friday, with first pitch scheduled for 8 p.m. ET from Rogers Centre in Toronto.
