The Toronto Blue Jays will open up the American League Division Series on Saturday against the winner of the Boston Red Sox/New York Yankees wild card series. 

Fresh off their first American League East title in a decade, the Blue Jays will be looking to win their first World Series since 1993. And it looks like they may have to start the journey without star shortstop Bo Bichette, who is battling a left knee sprain. He hasn't played since Sept. 6.

As noted by Keegan Matheson of MLB.com:

"When Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was asked about Bo Bichette, he said 'I hope we can win this series, so that he can come back for the next one.' That sounds like a bit of a clue that Bo is facing an uphill climb."

Guerrero is not the manager. He's not the trainer. And he's not Bichette himself, so his words need to be taken with a bit of a grain of salt, but he's also far more in the know than any of the public, so his words still matter.

It sounds as if he's mentally prepared to play without Bichette, which is something fans were hoping wouldn't be necessary.

It weakens it, obviously, in that Bichette is an All-Star-caliber player who had a great season, but it does make some things a bit clearer.

Bichette's knee may not allow him to run fully, which could eventually put him at the designated hitter position if he is to come back. So, without him, the team is free to use Anthony Santander or George Springer in that spot, which would help keep a poorer defender out of the outfield.

Either Ernie Clement or Andres Gimenez could play shortstop. Clement played there 29 times this season with Gimenez getting 15.

After an injury-plagued season in 2024, Bichette rebounded in a big way in 2025, hitting .311 with a .357 on-base percentage. He was on track to lead the American League hits until his injury, but still finished with 181.

He also had 44 doubles, which was second in baseball to Bobby Witt Jr.

He'll be a free agent at the end of the season and he's set himself up well for a nice payday, from the Blue Jays or someone else.

BICHETTE, BASSITT UPDATES: The injured Jays are working back, but what's the latest as we head to October? CLICK HERE:

LOSS OF PROMISE: By DFA'ing Alek Manoah, the Jays haven't just lost a roster spot, they let go of big-time promise, which is hard to grasp. CLICK HERE: 

ADKINS SPEAKS ON MANOAH: Blue Jays general manager Ross Adkins spoke about the decision to move on from Manoah, who had been with the big-league team since 2021. CLICK HERE: 

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