Since experiencing a left knee sprain on September 6, Bo Bichette is in a desperate race against time to recover. So far, he has only been hitting in the cage while the Blue Jays continue to wait to hear the magical words – Bichette has started running. Even manager John Schneider said he would take any version of the shortstop he could get. However, his potential return for the American League Division Series, which opens Saturday in Toronto, looks increasingly unlikely. 

As Blue Jays reporter for MLB, Keegan Matheson, reported, the most telling clue about Bichette’s status was from his best friend, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. “We miss him and he knows we miss him,” Guerrero said. “I hope we can win this series and he comes back for the next one.” That statement confirms the team’s worst fears that Toronto is not expecting Bichette to be ready for the ALDS.

Bichette is recovering from a sprained PCL in his left knee that can limit mobility for up to 12 weeks. Although winning the division bought him an extra week of rest, it may not be enough for him to be ready for Saturday’s Game 1. While he stated, “I will do everything I can in the next four or five days to see what we can do,” the reality is hitting the Blue Jays differently.

As Matheson reported, “So far, Bichette is still improving, still hitting and still throwing, but it’s difficult to put much stock into any update or timeline until we hear the magic words: ‘Bo Bichette has started running.'”

Losing Bichette, who will be a free agent after the season and currently has a market value of $186 million, as per Spotrac, creates a massive offensive gap. He was having a career year, hitting .311 with 18 home runs and team-leading 94 RBIs. Even after missing the final three weeks, Bichette finished second in the majors with 181 hits and 44 doubles, just after Bobby Witt Jr. Andres Gimenez has played shortstop in his absence, but has an OPS below .600, well below Bichette’s production.

In fact, back in May, when he walked off the Blue Jays bench to hit his first career pinch-hit homer to defeat the Texas Rangers, Schneider recalled it several times as the turning point for the team. It was a springboard for the team’s eventual division title win in nine years.

For the same reasons, Schneider is willing to wait until Friday to announce his substitute. “I’ll never put anything past Bo, in terms of people saying he can’t do something and him proving them wrong. This is a big couple of days for him, obviously. If he’s ready, we’ll obviously welcome him back with open arms. If he’s not, that’s another thing you want to play for: to keep going to get him back in the next round.”

Update: The Blue Jays have named Kevin Gausman as the ALDS Game 1 starter, but Schneider has declined to name a Game 2 starter as of now.

Although Schneider is not keen on slashing Bichette off the roster, he has also made one thing clear: He’ll either progress enough to play regularly or won’t be on the roster at all. With under 24 hours to go before the Blue Jays clash with the Yankees, the star shortstop is likely sidelined. One thing is certain: if Bichette needs a chance to play regularly, Toronto will have to win three more games, adding to their 15 wins in the 23 games they played without the star, to get him back in the next round. But the Blue Jays have additional roster decisions to make ahead of their game on Saturday.

Other crucial questions about the Blue Jays’ roster

One of the most interesting decisions is looming around the pitching rotation. Rookie phenom Trey Yesavage was brilliant down the stretch and is expected to start a game in the series. Will he get his shot? The next bigger question is who will get the ball for a potential Game 4. The team has three options: veteran Max Scherzer, reliable Chris Bassitt, or lefty Eric Lauer. Manager John Schneider’s hesitation to use Scherzer out of the bullpen makes these questions more powerful.

Finally, all eyes are on Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who had a quiet September, but his manager isn’t worried. Schneider has seen Vladdy grow over the years and knows he is ready for the moment. “Vlad has been through enough ups and downs in the postseason to be ready to step up,” Schneider said. And with Bichette out, the pressure now falls on Guerrero’s shoulders to carry the offense.

So, for now, the Blue Jays must survive this series for Bichette to have a chance to return. If they can advance to the ALCS, the door opens for Bichette to come back, most likely as a designated hitter. And Manager John Schneider has perfectly framed the team’s new mission. “If he’s ready, we’ll obviously welcome him back with open arms,” Schneider said. “If he’s not, that’s another thing you want to play for: to keep going to get him back in the next round.” The goal is now to win for Bo Bichette.