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 only two days after he returned from an extended stay on it.
The Blue Jays announced on Thursday that Bichette had been placed on the IL with a right middle finger fracture. The move is retroactive to Sept. 18 after Bichette was a late scratch ahead of Wednesday’s game.
News of the finger injury is a tough blow to Bichette and the club, especially considering that on Tuesday the shortstop returned from a right calf strain that had him sidelined since July 20.
Injuries and underperformance have 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 noticeable 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 wasn’t going to be able to improve his numbers enough to avoid a career-worst season, but he could have used the final two weeks to play without restrictions and go into the offseason fully healthy. But this latest fluke injury ensures that Bichette will not have that opportunity. This is the third time this season that Bichette has been placed on the IL — twice for a right calf strain — and this latest one will end his 2024 campaign.
As a countermove to Bichette’s injury, the Blue Jays have recalled rookie outfielder Jonatan Clase. Toronto acquired the 22-year-old from the Seattle Mariners in the Yimi García deal ahead of the trade deadline. Clase is ranked the team’s No. 6 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and in 35 games with Triple-A Buffalo, Clase hit .244/.288/.363 with two home runs.
(Photo: Cole Burston / Getty Images)
