Blue Jays: Who will spent the most time at shortstop with Bo Bichette on the injured list?

At the plate, Clement makes a strong case. He’s hitting .324 in September with five doubles and five RBIs in just 10 games. His ability to hit both left- and right-handed pitching, combined with reliable defence, makes him a strong candidate to hold down shortstop until Bichette returns, especially since other players on the bench can fill in across the diamond during Clement’s time at shortstop.

Andrés Giménez

When the Blue Jays traded for Andrés Giménez in the offseason, some saw it as an insurance move in case Bichette eventually tests free agency. While no one in Toronto wants to think about that scenario, Giménez has the defensive chops to excel at shortstop.

He has started the last three games at the position and looked comfortable. In his career, he’s made 83 appearances at the position with Cleveland, most notably during the 2022 season. While he’s primarily played second base the past three years, the versatility is there.

The concern, however, is his bat. Giménez has struggled for much of 2025 and is hitting just .184 in September with two RBIs in 11 games. The Blue Jays’ bench depth—featuring players like Ty France and Joey Loperfido—helps offset that weakness, but Toronto needs consistent offense late in the season. Giménez’s defense might justify his role, but his hitting could limit his opportunities or push him back to second base.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa

Finally, there’s Isiah Kiner-Falefa, a familiar face back in Toronto after a brief stint with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Blue Jays reacquired him on waivers before September 1st, and so far, he’s been a welcome addition. Since rejoining the club, Kiner-Falefa is hitting .316 with a .718 OPS in seven games—a small sample size, but encouraging nonetheless.

In 2024, IKF was a bright spot on an otherwise disappointing Blue Jays team, ranking fourth in WAR (3.2), seventh in batting average (.292), and sixth in OPS (.758) among regulars. Last season, he split time between shortstop (when Bichette was on the IL) and third base for Toronto, while with Pittsburgh this season, he played 94 of his 119 games at shortstop.

Kiner-Falefa’s ideal role may be near the bottom of the lineup (7–9 spots), but with his defensive flexibility and knack for timely hitting, he’s a valuable option for John Schneider to consider down the stretch.

Final Thoughts

The Bo Bichette injury leaves the Blue Jays’ shortstop position in flux, but the team has capable replacements in Ernie Clement, Andrés Giménez, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Each brings a different strength—whether it’s Clement’s hot bat, Giménez’s defense, or IKF’s versatility.

The Jays have proven they can keep winning without their superstar shortstop, but the choice of who locks down shortstop until October could play a major role in their push for the AL East title and a deep postseason run.