In another piece of unfortunate news for the Toronto Blue Jays in a season full of it, shortstop Bo Bichette is back on the 10-day injured list just two days after returning from an extended stay on it.
The Blue Jays announced Thursday that Bichette has been placed on the IL with a right middle finger fracture. The move is retroactive to Sept. 18 after Bichette was a late scratch before Wednesday’s game.
News of the finger injury is a tough blow for Bichette and the club, especially considering that on Tuesday the shortstop returned from a right calf strain that had sidelined him since July 20.
Injuries and underperformance made this a trying and disappointing season for the 26-year-old shortstop, who hit .225 with a .598 OPS and four home runs in 81 games. It was a performance that was a notable departure from the mark he set in previous seasons, including in 2021 and 2022 when he led the American League in hits.
Earlier this week, however, there was hope that Bichette could end the season on a positive note, even with limited time remaining on the MLB schedule. Bichette couldn’t improve his numbers enough to avoid a career-worst season, but he could have used the final two weeks to play without restrictions and enter the offseason fully healthy. But this latest accidental injury ensures Bichette won’t get that chance. This is the third time this season that Bichette has been put on the IL – twice for right calf – and this last one will end his 2024 campaign.
As a counter move to Bichette’s injury, the Blue Jays recalled rookie outfielder Jonatan Clase. Toronto acquired the 22-year-old from the Seattle Mariners in the Yimi García deal before the trade deadline. Clase is ranked the team’s No. 6 prospect, by MLB Pipeline, and in 35 games with Triple-A Buffalo, Clase hit .244/.288/.363 with two home runs.
(Photo: Cole Burston/Getty Images)
