The countdown to Bo Bichette‘s return has officially started.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider provided an update on the all-star shortstop’s return to game action.
“He started running yesterday down in Florida and we’ll just continue to ramp that up this week and into the weekend,” Schneider said. “He’s going to meet us in Boston on Monday or Tuesday and continue to kind of ramp up with us, and hopefully goes well and (he’ll) get on the rehab assignment.”
Schneider added that they will continue to touch base with Bichette and that while there is no hard deadline to get him back into game action, they’re hoping he begins a rehab assignment before the month ends.
“A week from now, or the weekend — hopefully he can get playing.”
Bichette has been sidelined since mid-July with a calf strain — a nagging injury he’s dealt with all season. He was previously out for four games ahead of the All-Star break with a calf injury, but re-aggravated it upon his return to the lineup.
Prior to the injury, Bichette had been suffering a down year offensively, hitting just four home runs and slashing .222/.275/.320 before he was placed on the IL.
Leo Jimenez has taken over the majority of the shortstop duties in Bichette’s absence, hitting three home runs and slashing .233/.314/.408 in 103 at-bats.
