TORONTO , Blue Jays right-handers Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt returned to the roster Sunday for the American League Championship Series against Seattle while shortstop Bo Bichette remained out with a left knee sprain.
Both teams released their 26-man rosters in the morning ahead of Game 1 on Sunday night at Rogers Centre.
Manager John Schneider said the plan was for Scherzer to be geared toward a start or length appearance while Bassitt would be in the bullpen “ready for anything.”
“These games, they can get hairy in a hurry,” Schneider said from his office in a pre-game media availability. “So I think they’ll both be available whenever we need them.”
The Blue Jays plan to give rookie Trey Yesavage the start in Game 2 on Monday and Shane Bieber the nod when the series moves to Seattle for Game 3 on Wednesday.
With Kevin Gausman on the mound for the opener, it’s the same starting order that was used in Toronto’s division series win over the New York Yankees.
Schneider didn’t confirm a Game 4 starter but said it was likely Scherzer would “factor in somehow.”
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An eight-time all-star, Scherzer was 5-5 with a 5.19 ERA in 17 starts. He didn’t pitch between March 29 and June 25 because of right thumb inflammation and was 1-3 with a 9.00 ERA in his final six starts.
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Bassitt, meanwhile, went 11-9 with a 3.96 ERA in 32 appearances, all but one of them starts. He was placed on the 15-day injured list on Sept. 20 due to lower-back inflammation.
Bichette, meanwhile, appeared to be in discomfort Saturday afternoon when he tried running the bases for the first time since suffering a left knee sprain on Sept. 6.
“It really just came down to yesterday and how he felt,” Schneider said. “I’m not happy that he didn’t feel great, but he didn’t set himself back by any means. He just wasn’t ready to go full speed today.”
Bichette, who led the Blue Jays with 181 hits this season, appeared to be moving closer to a return. He started running in the outfield in recent days and has been taking swings in simulated games.
“He’s going to continue to get prepared, if we continue to move on,” Schneider said. “So he’s still going to hit and I think he’ll take the day (off) from running today. But I think he’s going to get back after it tomorrow and hopefully feel a little bit better.”
Bichette, a two-time AL hits leader, finished second in the major leagues to New York’s Aaron Judge with a .311 batting average.
Blue Jays relievers Tommy Nance and Justin Bruihl played in the last round but were not on the roster for this series.
Schneider said Bichette was still participating in meetings, offering insight and planned to bring the same vibe as if he were playing.
“It’s been hard for him the last (few) weeks just trying to get back,” Schneider said. “It’s a mental grind too. But he’s done a really good job of of helping when he can.”
The Mariners added all-star right-hander Bryan Woo and utilityman Miles Mastrobuoni to their roster. They took the spots of outfielder Luke Raley and infielder Ben Williamson.
Woo hasn’t pitched since Sept. 19 because of pectoral inflammation. He went 15-7 with a 2.94 ERA and 198 strikeouts across 186 2/3 regular-season innings.
The Mariners arrived in Toronto late Saturday night after their divisional series against Detroit went the five-game distance, capped by a marathon 15-inning win on Friday night.
The Blue Jays are making their first ALCS appearance since 2016. Toronto hasn’t won the World Series since 1993.
— With files from The Associated Press.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 12, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press