As the Toronto Blue Jays gear up for a pivotal four-game stretch to end their season, a pair of key pieces are trying to get healthy for the playoffs.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider provided updates on both Chris Bassitt and Bo Bichette before Thursday's game against the Boston Red Sox, per The Athletic's Mitch Bannon.
Bassitt, who was placed on the injured list Saturday, had a cortisone shot in his back on Wednesday to deal with his inflammation and will return to throwing on Friday.
Since Bassitt was placed on the 15-day IL, he will be eligible to return for a potential ALDS.
"If we get to what we want to get, Chris will factor into that," Schneider told reporters.
The 36-year-old Bassitt owns a 3.96 ERA and 166 strikeouts across 31 starts this season, earning an 11-9 record. His last start came on Sept. 18 against the Tampa Bay Rays, where he allowed eight hits and three earned runs in 4.1 innings of work.
A pending free agent, Schneider said at the time of the IL move that Bassitt had been dealing with the back issue for the previous three or four starts.
Bichette, meanwhile, continues to work back from a PCL sprain in his left knee, which has kept him off the field since Sept. 6.
"No real change. Some progress, which is good," Schneider said of Bichette's status. "Just kind of day-to-day with him. I'm hoping sometime soon you have a significant update in the right direction."
The 27-year-old was in the midst of a resurgent season at the plate, slashing .311/.357/.483 through 139 games while leading MLB in hits and doubles.
You can watch as the Blue Jays hope to salvage their series against the Red Sox Thursday night on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+. First pitch is scheduled for 7:07 p.m. ET / 4:07 p.m. PT.
