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Blue Jays Start Bo Bichette at New Position for Game 1 vs. Dodgers

Toronto is getting its two-time All-Star back just in time.

Tom Dierberger

Bichette will be active for the World Series.
Bichette will be active for the World Series. / Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
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Bo Bichette is back.

The Blue Jays officially announced Friday that Bichette—who has been out since September with a left knee injury—was on their 26-man roster for the World Series against the Dodgers. Later Friday, Bichette was inserted into manager John Schneider’s lineup in a brand new position.

Bichette will be playing second base and batting cleanup for the Blue Jays in Game 1.

Bichette has never played an inning at second base in the big leagues, although he did appear at second in 30 games in the minors.

The 27-year-old was seen fielding ground balls at second base on Wednesday, and Schneider said Thursday that Bichette could see time at shortstop, second base and designated hitter throughout the World Series.

"We're kind of coming right down to the wire with it,” Schneider said Thursday of his decision on where to play Bichette [via MLB.com]. “I could see all three of those things happening, to be honest with you. Just kind of have to talk to him after the workout today, see how comfortable he felt doing everything and make the best decision.”

Andrés Giménez, who started all 11 postseason games for Toronto at shortstop in Bichette’s absence, will remain at short in Game 1. Giménez is batting .263/.317/.447 with two homers and eight RBIs while hitting out of the nine spot during the postseason.

Bichette batted a career-high .311/.357/.483 with 18 homers and 94 RBIs in 139 games for the Blue Jays before getting hurt. He started the year off a bit slow, but turned it around after the All-Star break and hit .370/.423/.566 in the second half.

Bichette and the Blue Jays will begin their World Series battle against the Dodgers in Game 1 on Friday night. The first pitch at Rogers Centre is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.

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Tom Dierberger
TOM DIERBERGER

Tom Dierberger is a staff writer and editor on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He joined SI in November 2023 after stints at FOX Sports, Bally Sports and NBC Sports. Dierberger has a bachelor's in communication from St. John's University. In his spare time, he can be seen throwing out his arm while playing fetch with his dog, Walter B. Boy.

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