Bo Bichette was running the bases during routine drill work in late September when the left knee sprain first forced him out of the lineup. A regular play that not only landed him in the 10-day IL but also has become a pressing concern for the manager as the club advances to the ALCS. Now that the team is set to face the Mariners in the ALCS, John Schneider has given an update on the two-time All-Star.

The 27-year-old has been an anchor of Toronto’s offense throughout the summer. Before he got hurt, he was hitting with an average of .311 with 18 home runs and 94 RBIs, showing that he could always come through in the clutch. His defensive skills at shortstop and ability to perform in tense situations made him essential during the regular-season push. For a franchise aiming for its first World Series since 1993, losing Bichette could undermine its breakthrough season.

Manager John Schneider confronted the uncertainty with stark honesty during Friday’s session with reporters. “We’re trying to weigh out—I’m trying to weigh out—is it every day? Is it off the bench? Obviously, you want his bat in the lineup,” Schneider explained.

He further acknowledged, “I think just kind of getting to the spot with him and getting his feedback, him being part of it, how much, if at all, he’s going to be compromised, and if not, OK, and how that kind of affects everyone else that we’re going to try to use and deploy. To say everyday availability would be best-case scenario, yeah, that’s pretty easy, but I think it’s a weird time crunch with the series starting (Sunday) and him having to check some boxes here today, too.”

His health is still a question mark for the first game of the ALCS 2025.

However, in recent rehab sessions, Bo Bichette has made slow but steady progress. He recently ran the bases at Rogers Centre before a workout, taking corners carefully while trainers looked closely. Many thought the run was a last test before the club decides whether or not to keep him on the roster. And earlier this week, he jogged slowly in the outfield at Yankee Stadium.

At times, he has winced while rounding the bases, a reminder that he needs more time.

Bo Bichette, on the other hand, is still sure of himself. He remarked after the Jays won the ALDS, “I’ve made a lot of progress recently, so I’m optimistic about my chances.” “I still have some hurdles to clear, but I’m optimistic. … I’m feeling better every day.” He is hopeful, but what the skipper said is unsettling.

Amid the uncertainty of Bo Bichette’s comeback, the manager at least has some improvements in a couple of injured arms, who might play in the ALCS.

Rotation reinforcements? Scherzer and Bassitt could return for ALCS

Even though the Bo Bichette situation is dicey. Schneider firmly intimated that the Blue Jays want to bring back Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt, who were both left off the ALDS roster, against the Yankees.

Schneider noted that the two veteran pitchers are “definitely ready and available,” which justifies their ALDS exclusion as a strategic decision. He said that both are still being looked at for the ALCS and that they could be able to work in depending on the matchup and the number of innings they need.

Schneider said that Bassitt is “feeling a lot better than he did at the end of the regular season” and highlighted that he can give many frames when needed. Bassitt had an 11–9 record with a 3.96 ERA over 31 starts in 2025. He struck out 166 batters before going on the IL because of irritation in his lower back.

Scherzer was not on the ALDS roster, but Schneider said the veteran has “stayed sharp” and worked on his delivery during his recovery. Scherzer spent significant time on the IL this season due to thumb inflammation, posting a 5–5 record with a 5.19 ERA and 82 strikeouts across his 2025 starts.

If Schneider does bring both of them into the ALCS, it would give Toronto’s pitching depth a boost at a time when the rotation might be stretched thin. This would give them more options for managing workloads and adapting to game situations or injury uncertainties.