With their ticket booked to the Fall Classic, the spotlight has shifted to the status of one of the Toronto Blue Jays' biggest stars.
Shortstop Bo Bichette, who has been out for the entirety of the post-season, is making "significant progress" in his workouts ahead of the World Series, manager John Schneider said on Blair and Barker on Tuesday.
Asked about how he would deploy Bichette should he make his return to the lineup in time for Friday's Game 1 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Schneider said that he would take contributions in whatever way he could from Bichette.
"We’ll see. Whether it’s on the field, DHing, whatever it may be, he’s made some significant progress about how he feels about his swing and how he feels running," Schneider said. "So I’m thankful we get the opportunity to give him a couple days, running the bases, see where he’s at.”
While he didn't provide any concrete updates on the shortstop's recovery timeline, he did mention that Bichette was working out at Rogers Centre while he was speaking.
Bichette was left off the Blue Jays' ALCS roster as he recovers from a knee sprain suffered Sept. 6 against the New York Yankees. Following the ALDS, Bichette hit live pitching and ran the bases for the first time since, but still appeared to be in pain.
Watch the Blue Jays in the World Series on Sportsnet
It all comes down to Game 7 as the Blue Jays try to win their first World Series title since 1993. Watch Game 7 on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
Broadcast schedule
Despite the long layoff, Schneider isn't worried about Bichette's abilities should he be able to return in time for the World Series.
“Bo’s a different cat, man. You don’t feel bad about him missing three weeks and coming in and hitting. He’s that talented with the bat in his hands. At the very least, if that’s what we get, that’s great," the manager said. "We’ll just kinda see where the next couple days take us and how he impacts our decisions and how he impacts our team. But you’re talking about a guy who led our team in RBIs, he missed the last 20 games of the season, so if we can get him back in any capacity, we’re gonna welcome him.”
The positive messaging has come from more than just Schneider since the Blue Jays won the American League pennant, with Bichette himself telling MLB Network's Jon Morosi that "I'll be ready."
Throughout the regular season, the 27-year-old had been one of the Blue Jays' most important hitters, slashing .311/.357/.483 with 18 home runs and 94 RBIs. At the time of his injury, his 181 hits were the most in MLB.
The World Series is set to kick off on Friday, with the Blue Jays hosting the Dodgers at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
