TORONTO — Bo Bichette, who has not played since Sept. 6 and missed the Toronto Blue Jays’ entire postseason run due to a left knee sprain, will return for the World Series, while Alex Vesia, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ top left-handed pitcher, is not on their roster.
Both clubs released their World Series rosters Friday, Oct. 24 and Bichette was added in place of utilityman Joey Loperfido, indicating he and the Blue Jays were pleased with the outcome of his workout Thursday at Rogers Centre.
Bichette, 27, their two-time All-Star shortstop and a pending free agent, took batting practice and fielded ground balls at second base during Toronto’s World Series workout. His addition comes after the Blue Jays’ defensive alignment was adjusted in his absence, as they moved regular second baseman Andrés Giménez to shortstop and deployed Ernie Clement and, after Anthony Santander’s injury, Isiah Kiner-Falefa at second base.
Giménez is the defensively superior shortstop, but Bichette’s bat would be a significant boon to either the Blue Jays’ lineup or bench. He posted a .307 average, 181 hits and an .840 OPS this season.
Vesia, 29, is away from the club after the Dodgers announced he was tending to a ‘deeply personal matter’ involving his wife, Kayla. They have been expecting their first child.
‘The entire Dodgers organization is sending our thoughts to the Vesia family,’ the Dodgers said in a statement, ‘and we will provide an update at a later date.’
The Dodgers now have the option, according to an MLB official, of placing Vesia on the ‘family medical emergency list.’ If Vesia is placed on leave, he would be required to stay for a minimum of three days and a maximum of seven days.
Rather than add lefty Tanner Scott, their $72 million acquisition who has not pitched since the division series, the Dodgers opted for right-handers Will Klein and Edgardo Henriquez. Three of the first four hitters in the Blue Jays lineup are right-handed sluggers in George Springer, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Alejandro Kirk.
Toronto Blue Jays World Series roster
Pitchers (12): RHP Chris Bassitt, RHP Shane Bieber, RHP Seranthony Dominguez, RHP Braydon Fisher, LHP Mason Fluharty, RHP Kevin Gausman, RHP Jeff Hoffman, LHP Eric Lauer, LHP Brendon Little, RHP Max Scherzer, RHP Louis Varland, RHP Trey Yesavage.
Position players (14): C Tyler Heineman, C Alejandro Kirk, INF/OF Addison Barger, INF Bo Bichette, INF Ernie Clement, INF Ty France, INF Andrés Giménez, INF Vladimir Guerrero Jr., INF Isiah Kiner-Falefa, OF Nathan Lukes, OF Davis Schneider, OF George Springer, OF Myles Straw, OF Daulton Varsho.
Los Angeles Dodgers World Series roster
Pitchers (12): LHP Anthony Banda, LHP Jack Dreyer, RHP Tyler Glasnow, RHP Edgardo Henriquez, LHP Clayton Kershaw, RHP Will Klein, RHP Roki Sasaki, RHP Emmet Sheehan, LHP Blake Snell, RHP Blake Treinen, LHP Justin Wrobleski, RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Position, two-way players (14): SS Mookie Betts, OF Alex Call, OF Justin Dean, INF/OF Tommy Edman, 1B Freddie Freeman, INF/OF Kiké Hernández, OF Teoscar Hernández, INF/OF Hyeseong Kim, 3B Max Muncy, DH/P Shohei Ohtani, OF Andy Pages, INF Miguel Rojas, C Ben Rortvedt, C Will Smith.