Toronto’s Game 4 on Wednesday had many good things for the Blue Jays. Not only did their 5-2 win over the Yankees mean an ALCS appearance after 2016, but their star shortstop, Bo Bichette, was also seen jogging before the ALDS decider without a brace. In his pre-game presser, too, he had stated his optimism about his return. However, just days before the official roster is released, the latest update on his return turned out to be somewhat concerning.

Recently on Foul Territory, baseball columnist Mike Wilner shared the odds of the veteran playing shortstop in the ALCS. “We’re definitely not going to see Bo Bichette playing shortstop, but I think we may see Bo Bichette as a DH in the ALCS. He spoke after the game last night in New York, and he said that he’s made some huge strides in the past few days. But he still has to be able to run bases, and he’s got three days to get better.

“And, you know, maybe he’s got six. Because if I’m the Blue Jays and I think Bo’s gonna be ready for Game 3, I’m putting him on the roster for Game 3, which is Tuesday. Game 1, Sunday, will be five weeks exactly since he got hurt…These injuries are like 4-6 week injuries usually.”

Notably, during a 3-1 loss to the Yankees on September 6, Bichette rammed into Austin Wells’ shin protectors while sliding feet first. Although he returned to the game after a 2-hour rain delay with clean X-rays, he experienced left knee soreness the following day. An MRI then suggested a sprain. Initially, he was placed on a 10-day IL to end the regular season. The MLB hits leader hasn’t played since then, having been left off the ALDS roster. 

Back in Toronto before joining the team for Game 4 against the Yankees, he took at-bats in a simulated game Tuesday against teammates Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt. Next day, The Athletics’ Mitch Bannon reported that Bichette had jogged three times for about 50 yards in the outfield, but he walked back to the dugout with a noticeable limp. Unfortunately, that’s what Wilner, too, confirmed.

“But to have him out there playing as a shortstop? There’s zero chance of that happening before the World Series if they get there. And maybe not even in the World Series,” Wilner added. “But I would not be surprised if he’s on the roster as a DH only, and that might cost Anthony Santander a spot.”

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But what is the team’s stance on their superstar’s return? Well, they’re patient.

“We’re taking it a day at a time with him,” Jays manager John Schneider said on Wednesday. “I think the last three days have been pretty positive, moving in the right direction. It would be great to have him. He was out there running today, and he actually hit off Max [Scherzer] and Chris [Bassitt] back home. He hit against [velocity] and hit in the game. He didn’t run, but he took 14 swings off of them.

He’s just trying to feel out his timing. These last three days have been pretty good for him. You look at the layoff he’s had, you want to make sure he’s in a good spot and not just throwing him to the wolves. But I think he’s making good progress. So we’ll see where he ends up and where we end up. You don’t want to have him out there compromised,” said Schneider, who added Bichette took about 14 swings, but didn’t run during the simulated game. “I think when he gets going here in the next couple days, you watch it, you get his feedback and say: How comfortable are you?”

But, despite how much understanding his team is giving him, Bichette’s injury couldn’t have come at a worse time. Before his injury, the shortstop had been in the midst of a hot stretch, recording a .311 batting average (tied for second in the majors), .840 OPS, 94 RBIs, and 18 home runs in 139 games. Bichette is in the final year of a three-year, $33.6 million deal and is set to hit free agency this offseason.

In Bichette’s absence, three-time Gold Glove winner at second base, Andres Gimenez was moved to shortstop. His move to DH, as Wilner suggested, could push George Springer back into the outfield. Then, the Blue Jays will have no option but to remove an outfield bat from the roster. Myles Straw is also an option. However, his prowess and defense make him a crucial piece, as it’s something Santander does not really offer.

Santander has had a below-average first season with the Blue Jays since signing a five-year, $92.5 million deal in the offseason. He spent most of the time on the injured list, and whenever healthy, he struggled to produce. Santander’s roster spot could be influenced by whether the Blue Jays go for upside at the plate or reliability in the field.

For now, Bichette will be trying everything he can to get back in the lineup for Sunday’s home game and help his team advance to the World Series.