MLB Player News

Gausman (2-2) took the loss against the Dodgers on Saturday in Game 2 of the World Series, allowing three runs on four hits and no walks while striking out six batters over 6.2 innings.

Gausman gave up a run on a pair of two-out hits in the first inning, then settled in to retire 17 straight batters. That streak was broken when Will Smith tagged him for a solo homer in the seventh inning, and Max Muncy followed suit with his own solo blast two batters later. That spelled the end of Gausman's outing, and he ended up with the loss as Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto spun a one-run, complete-game gem. Gausman did log his longest career postseason outing and was efficient in throwing 59 of 82 pitches for strikes while registering a quality start. He figures to start again in Game 6 if the series gets to that point.

Bichette isn't in the lineup for Game 2 of the World Series against the Dodgers on Saturday.

Bichette played in Game 1 on Friday -- his first game action in seven weeks -- but the Jays will keep the 27-year-old infielder on the bench Saturday while he continues to nurse a left knee injury. Isiah Kiner-Falefa will start at second base as a result and bat eighth.

Barger went 2-for-2 with a grand slam during Toronto's 11-4 victory in Game 1 of the World Series against the Dodgers on Friday.

Having already scored three runs in the sixth inning, Toronto was on the verge of taking full control of Friday's contest when Barger entered the game to hit for Davis Schneider. With the bases loaded, Barger slugged a 413-foot home run into center field off lefty Anthony Banda, marking the first pinch-hit grand slam in World Series history. The 25-year-old Barger has gone deep in two of his last three playoff games and is slashing .324/.405/.622 through 42 plate appearances in the postseason.

Yesavage didn't factor into the decision in Game 1 of the World Series against the Dodgers on Friday, allowing two earned runs on four hits and three walks while striking out five batters across four innings.

Yesavage got off to a strong start by retiring the side in order in the first -- highlighted by a strikeout of Shohei Ohtani -- but the rookie right-hander eventually fell victim to the strength of Los Angeles' offense. An Enrique Hernandez RBI single gave the Dodgers a 1-0 lead in the second, and Will Smith plated another run with his single in the third. Yesavage's pitch count had reached 80 by the end of the fourth frame, forcing Toronto to turn to its bullpen early and preventing the 22-year-old from benefiting from the Jays' nine-run explosion in the sixth. If the Dodgers are able to win at least one of the next three contests, Yesavage would likely be the choice to take the mound in Los Angeles for Game 5.

Bichette will start at second base and hit cleanup in Friday's World Series Game 1 against the Dodgers.

Bichette has never played second base at the major-league level, having last seen action at the position in 2019 at Triple-A Buffalo. It's a big ask for him to start at the keystone in Game 1 of the World Series, particularly after he missed the past seven weeks with a PCL sprain in his left knee. However, the Blue Jays are willing to roll the dice in order to get Bichette's bat into the lineup and keep George Springer at designated hitter, where he's thrived.

France (oblique) is on the Blue Jays' World Series roster.

France has been sidelined since the last week of the regular season with a left oblique strain, but he's recovered from that injury and the Blue Jays have elected to include him on their roster for the Fall Classic. The 31-year-old is likely to be used in a reserve role.

Bichette (knee) is on the Blue Jays' World Series roster.

Bichette has been shelved for the past seven weeks while recovering from a PCL sprain in his left knee, but he's ramped up his workouts lately and has progressed enough to be added to Toronto's roster for the Fall Classic. The Blue Jays have not revealed what the plan is for Bichette's role, but with Andres Gimenez expected to remain at shortstop, Bichette is likely to handle second base, serve as the designated hitter or perhaps be a bat off the bench.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Thursday that Springer is "very capable" of playing the outfield in the World Series, if needed, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Springer has been deployed as the Blue Jays' primary designated hitter this season and hasn't played an inning in the outfield in a month. However, one way to reincorporate Bo Bichette (knee) back into the lineup would be to use him at DH and have Springer play the outfield. Schneider did note that he'd prefer not to take players out of their comfort zone, and Springer clearly has settled in nicely at DH with a resurgent regular season (.959 OPS, 32 home runs) and postseason (.929 OPS, four home runs).

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Thursday that Yesavage will start Game 1 of the World Series versus the Dodgers on Friday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

At 22 years and 88 days old, Yesavage will be the second-youngest World Series Game 1 starter in history, per Sarah Langs of MLB.com. He will be opposed by Blake Snell. Yesavage has made three starts this postseason, collecting a 4.20 ERA and 22:7 K:BB over 15 innings. The Blue Jays have not yet named their Game 2 starter, but it will likely be Kevin Gausman.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Thursday that designated hitter, shortstop and second base are all on the table as spots for Bichette (knee) if he is on the World Series roster, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Schneider stopped short of confirming Bichette will be on the roster following a seven-week absence with a PCL sprain in his left knee. However, Bichette will go through another full workout Thursday, and as long as he gets through that with no issues, all signs point to him suiting up for the Fall Classic. Where and how much Bichette plays is up in the air, but Andres Gimenez is expected to stay at shortstop. Bichette hasn't been used at second base in the majors, but he "looked more than comfortable" when he played the position in the minors, per Schneider, and it seems there's a good chance he'll handle the keystone in the World Series. The Blue Jays and Dodgers must set their World Series rosters by Friday morning.