The Toronto Blue Jays have decided not to activate shortstop Bo Bichette for the American League Championship Series against the Seattle Mariners.
Bichette, who has been sidelined with a knee sprain since a collision at home plate in a Sept. 6 game against the New York Yankees, was hopeful he’d be able to play in the ALCS. But after running on Oct. 8 and taking batting practice on Oct. 10 for the first time since the injury, the Jays determined he still wasn’t ready to go all out.
Veteran Andres Gimenez will start again at shortstop in the ALCS opener Sunday night as he did in all four games of the division series against the Yankees.
Jays add Max Scherzer, Chris Bassitt to ALCS roster
The Blue Jays made two changes to their roster ahead of Sunday’s Game 1.
Veteran pitchers Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt will be active against the Mariners as the playoff series goes from a best-of-five to a best-of-seven.
An eight-time All-Star, Scherzer (5-5, 5.19 ERA during the regular season) is a candidate to start Game 4, the middle of three consecutive games in Seattle. Bassitt (11-9, 3.96 ERA) last pitched on Sept. 18.
Scherzer and Bassitt replace relievers Justin Bruihl and Tommy Nance.
Mariners activate Bryan Woo
The Mariners will have right-hander Bryan Woo, their best starting pitcher this season, available for the ALCS.
Woo (15-7, 2.94 ERA) was not on Seattle’s roster for the ALDS after being sidelined by pectoral inflammation during a start on Sept. 19.
The Mariners also added infielder Miles Mastrobuoni to replace outfielder Luke Raley and infielder Ben Williamson.