TORONTO \u2014 The Blue Jays arrived at the World Series having survived the first two rounds without one of their best bats from the regular season.<\/p>\n
That could change Friday, though where Bo Bichette actually plays and just how effective he can be after a lengthy injury layoff remains very much in question.<\/p>\n
Bichette went through a workout Thursday at Rogers Centre that was expected to be the final hurdle in potentially clearing him to make the Blue Jays roster ahead of Game 1 of the World Series on Friday night against the Dodgers.<\/p>\n
The Blue Jays\u2019 Bo Bichette fields a ball during media day Thursday in Toronto ahead of Friday\u2019s World Series Game 1. AP<\/p>\n
\u201cI think after our workout today, there\u2019ll be a lot more understanding of where I stand,\u201d Bichette said Thursday afternoon before the workout. \u201cFor me, I\u2019m just trying to do everything I can to be ready for whatever I\u2019m physically capable of doing. I\u2019m ready to help the team in whatever capacity that is.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bichette has not played since Sept. 6 when he collided with Yankees catcher Austin Wells on a play at the plate and sprained his left knee.<\/p>\n
Blue Jays manager John Schneider indicated that shortstop (Bichette\u2019s natural position), second base (where Bichette took ground balls on Thursday but has not played since 2019 at Triple-A) and DH could all be in play for the right-handed hitter who batted .311 with an .840 OPS during the regular season. <\/p>\n
His addition would force someone else out of the lineup \u2014 along with potentially having George Springer (who has been hobbled himself since getting hit by a pitch on the knee during the ALCS) move from DH to right field.<\/p>\n
Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette (11) responds to questions on media day before game one of the World Series at Rogers Centre. John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
It was all part of the equation that the Blue Jays were weighing Thursday.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think that where we are now, there\u2019s going to be emotions and thoughts and feelings that these guys are going to feel that they haven\u2019t felt regardless of if they just played in Game 7 or if they haven\u2019t played in a while,\u201d Schneider said. \u201cJust in conversations with Bo, he\u2019s pretty realistic about how he feels and how he will feel if he\u2019s out there. So it\u2019s something we got to continue to work through, really. I think that if he feels comfortable [playing second base], I\u2019m going to listen to players and trust them.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Dodgers may not have one of their top relievers available at least to start the series. <\/p>\n