Blue Jays: Bo Bichette’s injury not as bad as initially feared

When Bo Bichette broke his hand after being hit by a pitch earlier this week, many feared it would completely derail his season. That may not be the case after all.

Lost in some of the excitement around Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s debut with the Toronto Blue Jays in the big leagues was the injury to their second-highest ranked prospect, Bo Bichette.

Bichette was hit on the hand by a pitch a few days back and things didn’t look good for the 21-year-old shortstop. Hand injuries are a difficult thing to deal with at the best of times, especially with all of the little and important bones that factor into swinging a bat, among other required skills.

However, according to Ross Atkins’ announcement of his progress on Friday, it sounds like Bichette will be able to avoid surgery to correct the injury, and could even be back within the next 4-6 weeks if all goes according to plan.

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Bichette was in the first month of his first season in Triple-A, and was slashing .250/.310/.404 with one home run, three doubles, and eight RBI in his first 52 at-bats with the Buffalo Bisons. The Blue Jays have talked about how they wanted him to experience the Triple-A level this year and not rush him to the big leagues, so many feared that the injury all but squashed any chance he’d have of making it to Toronto this year.

He’s still not guaranteed anything, but it’s a significant development that he’s been able to avoid surgery, and will be able to get back on the field likely sometime in mid-June.

Even if we don’t see Bichette or other prospects like Cavan Biggio in Toronto this season, allowing them the chance to properly grow with another year of MiLB experience is good for them, and also for the progression of the franchise in general. It’s wonderful that Vlad Jr. has finally arrived at the highest level, but hopefully he’s just the first of many homegrown stars in a Blue Jay uniform.

Thankfully the news on Bichette was positive on Friday, and that the young man will heal at a rapid pace. Not having to get surgery certainly helps.