Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Chris Bassitt (40) pitches during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

Blue Jays ALCS roster: Bassitt and Scherzer added; Bichette, Bruihl, and Nance left off

Originally posted on Bluejaysnation
By Tyson Shushkewich | Last updated Oct 12, 2025 10:43 AM ET

The Toronto Blue Jays are bringing a few key arms to the ALCS roster.

Toronto announced its ALCS roster just moments ago, and the club will be adding veteran starters Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt back to the roster after both starters were left out of the ALDS against the New York Yankees. With only five games in the previous series, the Jays opted for three starters and additional bullpen arms, while also including Trey Yesavage, and leaving Bassitt and Scherzer to the sidelines.

Bassitt was battling a back injury heading into the end of the season, while Scherzer had struggled in his last few outings to end the year, one of the few reasons why the Jays opted to go with Yesavage against the Yankees compared to keeping the veteran starters around.

OFFICIAL: Presenting our ALCS roster! #WANTITALL pic.twitter.com/32YoWSAnBD

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) October 12, 2025

To make room for both starters in the ALCS, relievers Justin Bruihl and Tommy Nance were substituted out. As well, the Jays will be without Bo Bichette this series as he continues to rehab from a knee injury suffered in early September against the Yankees. There was some hope that he could return for this series, but a video surfaced yesterday of the shortstop rounding second base and coming up grimacing from the turn. The position player group remains the same, with Isiah Kiner-Falefa rounding out the infield grouping, while the Jays opted to carry six outfielders into this round of the postseason.

It remains to be seen how the Jays will use their starters this time around, as there is a strong likelihood that one of Bassitt or Scherzer will pitch in some type of bulk bullpen role this series. Considering Scherzer has struggled mightily this year in the first inning, he may be the go-to option for this spot; however, he does boast the most postseason experience of the starting group and could be a go-to option in the rotation while Bassitt takes on a reliever role instead.

Kevin Gausman is slated to make the start tonight, while the rest of the rotation is not currently set.

This article first appeared on Bluejaysnation and was syndicated with permission.

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