ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø

Bichette will play second base and bat in the cleanup spot, the Blue Jays announced a few hours before Game 1 on Friday night at Rogers Centre.

Outfielders Myles Straw and Davis Schneider also got starts with Nathan Lukes, Addison Barger and Isiah Kiner-Falefa available off the bench. 

Bichette made strides in recent days by running the bases and participating in defensive drills while continuing his hitting work in the batting cage. 

The Blue Jays also added infielder Ty France to the 26-man list and dropped reliever Yariel Rodriguez and outfielder Joey Loperfido. 

Bichette took grounders at second base during the team's workout on Thursday. Andres Gimenez, who normally plays second base, moved over to shortstop while Bichette was out. 

"I'm comfortable with whatever the team needs me to do," Bichette said Thursday during a media day availability. "So I'll be ready for whatever."

Bichette, general manager Ross Atkins and manager John Schneider were scheduled to hold media availabilities later in the day.

Bichette was in obvious discomfort when he tried running the bases before the American League Championship Series against the Seattle Mariners. He looked much more comfortable on Thursday, although he wasn't running at a full sprint. 

Bichette, who led the team with 181 hits in the regular season, also seemed comfortable as he pivoted while taking grounders. His swing looked smooth in the batting cage.

The Blue Jays selected 14 position players and 12 pitchers for the Fall Classic instead of the 13-13 mix they used in their seven-game ALCS win over the Mariners.

Bichette, a two-time American League hits leader, finished second to New York's Aaron Judge with a .311 batting average this past season. 

"This team doesn't need me to come in and be a hero," Bichette said Thursday. "It needs me to come in and do the job to the best of my ability and help the team win.

"So that's my mindset in whatever role that looks like."

Bichette is in the final year of his contract with the Blue Jays. He will be eligible for free agency in the off-season.

Los Angeles added right-handers Edgardo Henriquez and Will Klein while dropping lefty Alex Vesia and righty Ben Casparius. The Dodgers have said that Vesia was not with the team because of a family matter.

Three-time Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw, who was left off the Dodgers' wild-card series roster and did not pitch in the NL Championship Series, is on the World Series roster. 

The 37-year-old Kershaw has said he plans to retire after this season.

With files from The Associated Press.

This report by ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø was first published Oct. 24, 2025.