Blue Jays – Bo Bichette returns to the lineup after missing last two games

The Toronto Blue Jays will be getting a familiar face back in the lineup today, as Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith reported earlier today that Bo Bichette will be featured in today’s lineup when the Blue Jays take on the Houston Astros later tonight. The Jays’ shortstop has missed the last two games with neck spasms.

Bichette will be returning to shortstop after his brief absence, slotting third in the batting order behind George Springer and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. While he was away, infielder Ernie Clement has been taking his spot on the diamond. He slots into third base this evening with Isiah Kiner-Falefa taking over at second base, giving Cavan Biggio the night off.

The Blue Jays get Bichette’s back after being no-hit by Ronel Blanco and the Astros last evening, the eighth time the franchise has been on the wrong side of history.

Bo Bichette set to return to the Blue Jays lineup

Blanco kept the Toronto hitters off-balance the entire evening, walking just two batters while striking out seven on his way to a 105-pitch outing that saw him enter the record books in just his 25th big league appearance and the eighth start of his career. Blanco produced 20 whiffs on the day and produced weak contact the entire evening while the Astros’ batters beat up Bowden Francis and the Jays’ pitching staff to a 10-0 drubbing.

So far this season, Bichette has produced just two hits through 12 at-bats, with one of those knocks coming in the form of a double. The right-hander batter has two RBIs and one walk out of the gate compared to two strikeouts. The slow start may have been due to the neck spasms and Bichette will be put to the test later tonight as the Jays take on the southpaw Framber Valdez to try and claw back to a .500 record.

Tyson Shushkewich is a contributor at the Blue Jays Nation. He can be followed on X or Instagram at Tyson_MLB or reached via email at Tyson_MLB@hotmail.com