Blue Jays Provide Bo Bichette Update Before Red Sox Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Josh Valdez | Last updated Sep 23, 2025 5:41 PM ET

The Toronto Blue Jays are 11-8 in September, and it'll be their fourth straight month with a winning record if they maintain their current pace. However, this time they've been without star shortstop Bo Bichette (knee) for three weeks.

The 27-year-old hurt his knee while sliding into home plate against the New York Yankees on Sept. 6 and hasn't returned since. Now, the Blue Jays are tasked with winning the AL East without him.

Bichette's absence leaves an All-Star-sized hole in the lineup. The two-time AL hits leader is third in baseball with a .311 batting average, is tied for 19th with 94 RBIs, and is tied for 23rd with an .840 OPS. Toronto leads the New York Yankees atop the division by two games with six contests left in the regular season, so this is an inconvenient time for him to be hurt.

However, the Blue Jays released an update about Bichette before Tuesday's bout with the Boston Red Sox, via MLB.com's Keegan Matheson.

"Bo Bichette is hitting again today, but not running yet. The hitting is going well, but all that really matters for his timeline is how Bichette’s knee responds to running (and bouncing around the infield for ground balls)," he reported.

Matheson also pondered how the Bichette situation may be tied to Anthony Santander (shoulder). The 30-year-old slugger, who hasn't played since May 29, isn't in Toronto's lineup or bench for Tuesday's game despite finishing his Triple-A rehab assignment on Sunday.

"Part of me is curious how closely the Santander decision is tied to Bichette's developing status," he said. "If Bichette needs the DH spot in the ALDS, the path to at-bats gets even narrower for Santander. There's not much time to feel that out, though. Strange day. We'll see."

Bo Bichette is hitting again today, but not running yet.

The hitting is going well, but all that really matters for his timeline is how Bichette’s knee responds to running (and bouncing around the infield for ground balls). #BlueJays
— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) September 23, 2025

Blue Jays Need Bo Bichette and Anthony Santander for Playoffs

Bichette and Santander are both key players in different ways. Bichette is a part of the franchise's foundation, as he developed in its farm system alongside superstar Vladimir Guerrero Jr.. The veteran leads Toronto in batting average, RBIs, and hits (181), so his production can't be replaced by one person.

Conversely, Santander could be the championship boost. The Blue Jays have the best record in the AL despite not having the 30-year-old's services for most of the year, but he could make the offense nearly unbeatable in the playoffs if he returns to last year's form, when he smashed 44 homers and recorded 102 RBIs for the Baltimore Orioles.

Toronto will be in the playoffs either way, but how far it goes might depend on Bichette and Santander's health.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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