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Bo Bichette is still sidelined as Blue Jays start series against Red Sox

Bo Bichette is still sidelined as Blue Jays start series against Red Sox

June 17, 2024

The Toronto Blue Jays will be without shortstop Bo Bichette in their starting lineup as they open their series against the Boston Red Sox.

Bichette has missed the Blue Jays’ last two games due to right calf soreness. Manager John Schneider said, “hopefully, it’s not too much longer,” in reference to the 26-year-old’s return after Sunday’s win over the Cleveland Guardians

Bichette has a .629 OPS with four home runs, 28 RBIs and a .237 batting average on the year.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa will get the start at short while batting seventh against Canadian Nick Pivetta and the Red Sox.

According to Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi, left-handed reliever Brandon Eisert had a locker in the Blue Jays clubhouse ahead of Monday night’s game.

Eisert, 26, has a 6.35 ERA through 19 appearances with triple-A Buffalo this season. He has struck out 35 hitters in 22.2 innings but has also issued 14 walks.

He was an 18th-round pick of Toronto in the 2019 draft. Eisert is not on the Blue Jays 40-man roster, so he would need to be added before he could pitch with the team.

You can watch Yusei Kikuchi lead the Blue Jays into their first series of the season against the Red Sox on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+. First pitch is scheduled for 7:07 p.m. ET / 4:07 p.m. PT.

The Toronto Blue Jays are facing a tough challenge as they start a series against the Boston Red Sox, especially with their star shortstop Bo Bichette still sidelined due to injury. Bichette, who has been dealing with a sprained knee, has been out of the lineup for the past few weeks, leaving a significant gap in the Blue Jays’ lineup.

Bichette’s absence has been felt by the team, as he was one of their most productive hitters before getting injured. In 46 games this season, Bichette was batting .275 with 11 home runs and 32 RBIs, providing a much-needed spark to the Blue Jays’ offense. Without him in the lineup, the team has struggled to generate runs consistently, which has led to some tough losses.

The Blue Jays have been cautious with Bichette’s recovery, as they want to make sure he is fully healthy before returning to action. Manager Charlie Montoyo has stated that Bichette is making progress in his rehab and is getting closer to a return, but there is still no timetable for when he will be back on the field.

In the meantime, the Blue Jays will have to rely on their other players to step up and fill the void left by Bichette’s absence. Players like Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Teoscar Hernandez, and Marcus Semien will need to continue to produce at a high level in order to keep the team competitive in the tough AL East division.

Facing off against the Red Sox, who currently sit atop the division standings, will be a tough test for the Blue Jays. But with their talented roster and strong pitching staff, they have the potential to compete with the best teams in the league, even without Bichette in the lineup.

As fans eagerly await Bichette’s return, they can take solace in the fact that the young shortstop is making progress in his recovery and should be back on the field soon. In the meantime, they can support their team as they face off against their division rivals and look to make a push for a playoff spot in the competitive AL East.