Bo Bichette is scheduled to start a Triple-A rehab task starting on Tuesday, the Blue Jays instructed reporters (together with Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi and Arden Zwelling). Bichette has been on the injured listing since struggling a proper calf pressure on July 19, which was the third calf-related challenge for Bichette inside a couple of month’s time. It wasn’t clear on the time of the position if Bichette would have the ability to return earlier than the season was over or if the Jays may simply shut him down, nevertheless it seems to be just like the shortstop ought to have the ability to make it again for not less than a bit extra motion earlier than the 2024 marketing campaign wraps.
Whereas the Jays are effectively out of competition, returning to the sector ought to present some peace of thoughts for Bichette about his well being as he wraps up the worst season of his six-year profession. The 2-time All-Star hit solely .222/.275/.320 over 331 plate appearances, delivering a 69 wRC+ that was far beneath his earlier profession mark of 127. Bichette’s flip from star to replacement-level participant was certainly one of many causes behind the Jays’ tough season, and it has raised contemporary hypothesis about Bichette’s long-term future in Toronto, or even when he’ll nonetheless be a Blue Jay by subsequent Opening Day. These questions clearly gained’t be answered within the small pattern measurement of nonetheless many MLB video games Bichette is ready to play in September, however returning to the Jays lineup and hitting like his previous self would enable him to take one thing optimistic from an in any other case misplaced yr.
Different updates from across the AL East…
The Orioles introduced that Heston Kjerstad will begin a rehab task on the crew’s A-ball affiliate in Aberdeen starting tomorrow. Kjerstad has been on the concussion-related harm listing since August 1, marking his second stint on the concussion-IL since he was hit within the head by a Clay Holmes pitch on July 12. The excellent news is that Kjerstad has cleared concussion protocol and now seems to be able to return to motion. Now in his second MLB season, the previous prime prospect has continued to indicate glimpses of his potential with a .261/.370/.420 slash line in 81 plate appearances with Baltimore this season, and a wholesome Kjerstad may present a pleasant enhance for the O’s heading into the playoffs.
Liam Hendriks was slated to throw back-to-back outings as a part of his ongoing minor rehab task, although the Pink Sox and the reliever have pulled again on the concept since Hendriks is feeling some slight discomfort. “There was just a little little bit of a difficulty [in the elbow], however nothing that may’t be labored out,” Hendriks instructed the Boston Globe’s Julian McWilliams and different reporters. “I feel I have to restrict my very own throwing….The muscle teams proper there aren’t fairly constructed as much as stand up to that simply but. I have to form of ease them in just a little bit higher.” Hendriks and supervisor Alex Cora downplayed the setback, and the hope is that Hendriks will have the ability to make it again to the Pink Sox roster earlier than the season is over. Hendriks hasn’t pitched within the majors since June 2023, as a Tommy John surgical procedure in August of that yr has put his profession on maintain.
