TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays’ American League Championship Series roster is set, and it comes with one painful omission. Bo Bichette, the heart of Toronto’s infield and one of its longest-tenured stars, will not play in the ALCS.

At 10 a.m. Eastern on Sunday, the Blue Jays officially submitted their postseason roster. There were no surprises among the position players — which, in this case, says everything. Bichette, battling a left knee injury, didn’t make the cut.

Fans had held onto hope after spotting Bichette testing his mobility on the Rogers Centre field Saturday, but optimism quickly faded. He grimaced as he rounded second base during running drills — a telltale sign of discomfort that left even the most hopeful observers resigned to reality.

“Not after that point,” said Keegan Matheson of MLB.com, speaking on the decision. “When we got here yesterday, I thought he had a decent chance, but running the bases there — especially when he rounded second — you could tell he was protecting that left knee. And if you’re protecting it, that means you’re not confident it’s going to be there for you.”

A Painful Pause for a Cornerstone Player

The Blue Jays’ front office faces an unenviable scenario. Bichette’s defensive mobility — his ability to move laterally, to pivot and react in a fraction of a second — has long been the backbone of Toronto’s infield. Even as a designated hitter, his offensive spark would be an asset, but the risk of aggravating the injury outweighed the potential reward.

“Defense is the key question,” Matheson added. “Can he go side to side, or is he a DH? Those are two very different roster constructions.”

It’s not just the series that’s at stake — it may be the end of an era. Bichette, now in his final year of team control, could be heading into free agency after the season. Unless the Blue Jays reach the World Series and he’s healthy enough to play, Sunday’s announcement could quietly mark the end of his tenure in Toronto.

“If he doesn’t play in the World Series,” Matheson noted somberly, “he may have played his last game as a Toronto Blue Jay.”

For a fan base that grew up watching “Bo and Vladdy” — Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the dynamic duo that symbolized Toronto’s rebuild — that possibility cuts deep. The two were supposed to bring a title home together. That dream may now hinge on one final postseason run.

Rotation Reshuffled, Scherzer Returns

While the headlines centered on Bichette, the Blue Jays’ pitching staff also saw notable changes. Veterans Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt made the ALCS roster, while Thomas Nance and Justin Bullock were left off.

The adjustments reflect the realities of a seven-game series, where depth and endurance matter more than surprise bullpen tactics.

“This might allow them to avoid that bullpen game,” Matheson explained. “It worked great last series, but doing that in the middle of a seven-game set is a lot trickier.”

Scherzer, a future Hall of Famer with a wealth of postseason experience, appears lined up for Game 4, though the team hinted he could enter earlier if needed. Bassitt, meanwhile, transitions to a relief role and could provide several innings of work out of the bullpen.

“Right now, Scherzer feels likelier to be that Game 4 starter,” Matheson said, “and Bassitt the likely long reliever. But with both healthy, the Jays have flexibility — and a ton of experience.”

Scherzer threw 95 pitches in a simulated game last week, signaling a full return to strength. Manager John Schneider told reporters the 40-year-old “feels better now than he did a month ago.”

The Road Through Seattle

Schneider also confirmed the Blue Jays’ rotation plans for the opening stretch of the ALCS. Kevin Gausman gets the Game 1 start, with Trey Savage set for Game 2. Shane Bieber, recently acquired and still building back his rhythm, will start Game 3 in Seattle.

The matchup brings a touch of déjà vu — the first playoff meeting between Toronto and the Mariners since the 2022 AL Wild Card Series, when the Blue Jays famously blew a seven-run lead in Game 2, ending their postseason abruptly.

That loss has haunted the franchise ever since. This time, they arrive older, wiser, and more battle-tested — but still chasing the same elusive goal.

A City Holding Its Breath

For fans across Canada, the absence of Bo Bichette feels personal. He’s not just a player — he’s a symbol of the team’s identity, the unshakable presence who bridged eras from rebuilding years to postseason promise.

Even as he watched practice from the dugout, Bichette’s frustration was visible. The Blue Jays’ training staff continues to monitor his recovery, but insiders say his return for a potential World Series appearance remains uncertain.

Still, few doubt his resolve. “If you’re Bo Bichette right now,” Matheson said, “the motivation can’t possibly be higher.”

For now, Toronto presses forward — a team in transition, balancing urgency with belief. And somewhere in the shadows of Rogers Centre, a franchise cornerstone fights for one more chance to wear the jersey he’s always called home.