The Blue Jays added first baseman Ty France to their 26-player World Series roster on Friday morning, making him one of the two players selected by Toronto for the World Series who have yet to appear in the 2025 postseason.
Shortstop Bo Bichette was also added as he appears set to return from a knee injury that has kept him out since Sept. 6. Reliever Yariel Rodriguez and outfielder Joey Loperfido were taken off the roster to make room.
France has not played a game for the Blue Jays since Sept. 21. He was not on the roster for the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees or the AL Championship Series against the Seattle Mariners.
A possible explanation for the move could come down to matchups. The Dodgers unveiled their World Series roster Friday morning and have four left-handers in their bullpen – Clayton Kershaw, Jack Dreyer, Justin Wrobleski and Anthony Banda.
France has hit lefties slightly better throughout his career, slugging .415 against southpaws compared to righties at .394. He also has a higher slugging percentage against left-handers this season (.389 to .348) but does hit for a lower batting average (.244 compared to .262).
France slashed .257/.320/.360 with seven home runs and 52 RBI in 138 games during the regular season.
Defensively, France has played primarily first base throughout his career but has also seen time at second and third base. However, 124 of his 138 games this year came at first base and he played second only once on July 30 as a member of the Minnesota Twins before being traded to the Jays.
He was acquired by Toronto at the trade deadline, along with reliever Louis Varland, in exchange for prospects Kendry Rojas and Alan Roden.
Trey Yesavage gets the ball for the Jays in Game 1 Friday night in Toronto against former NL Cy Young winner Blake Snell.
