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Bo Bichette: a second opinion in Texas for his knee injury

Recently, Bo Bichette was placed on the injured list with a knee injury.

We knew that the Blue Jays had been ordered to rest him for a week before considering testing his knee. Even then, it didn’t seem ideal with the playoffs just a few weeks away.

But now, some worrying news has emerged.

Bichette is currently in Texas to meet with a knee specialist to get a second opinion on the state of her knee. The specialist, Dr. Dan Cooper, is an expert in the field.

Of course, keep in mind that if a guy asks for a second opinion, it’s because he didn’t like the first one. That’s not a good sign.

Internally, there are rumors that the shortstop won’t be able to start the playoffs, and that to see him, the Blue Jays would have to make a deep run in the playoffs.

That’s not a good sign.

With the playoffs approaching, you have to wonder if he’ll have to be the DH if he comes back. That wouldn’t be ideal, since George Springer is the regular in that position. What’s more, Anthony Santander is trying to come back and Vladdy sometimes needs to be the DH.

But above all, from a contract point of view, we must also remember that Bichette will become a free agent in a few weeks. A good knee injury could work against him.

At this point, the question arises: has he already played his last game with the Blue Jays?

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Anthony Volpe and the pressure of the New York market

If you’re a fan of the New York Yankees, you have a lot to celebrate. Indeed, despite the loss of Juan Soto on the free agent market and the Tommy John-type injury to Gerrit Cole last winter, the Bronx Bombers have been playing big baseball in 2025, which will likely see them play October games.

The big names have stepped up, including Aaron Judge, who is enjoying another MVP-caliber season. However, one player of concern is Anthony Volpe. It’s been tougher for the shortstop, both offensively and defensively. In fact, he leads the American League in errors this season, with 19.

When asked about the situation, former Atlanta Braves glory John Smoltz believes there are two possible outcomes for Derek Jeter’s heir to the reigns. A change of scenery, or a lot of work in the off-season.

The pressure of New York

Not every athlete is born to play in a big market. The pressure can be overwhelming. There’s no bigger baseball market than New York, and the pressure is quadrupled when you’re identified as the successor to a living legend in a position as vital as shortstop. That’s what Volpe is experiencing. Maybe he can’t handle the expectations that come with wearing the striped uniform and the world’s most recognized cap. What’s more, that of being the next Jeter.

The kid is still relatively young, at just 24. But he’s still got 460 games of experience under his belt, and he’s not getting any better. Far from it. Will the Yankees be patient with their youngster?

Work hard in the off-season

When nothing seems to go right over a long period of time, radical change doesn’t happen in the space of a few days. It’s over the long term, and with time – in other words, the in-between season – that a change in mechanics, motion and attitude can occur. You have to give your muscles time to build up a memory, and adapting to your new way of facing pitchers doesn’t happen overnight.

In short, no one knows what the future holds for Anthony Volpe. However, with the playoffs just around the corner, it’s often the perfect opportunity for an obscure hero to rise up and lead his team to the end of its destiny.

While we wait to see if Volpe will be that obscure hero, a different kind of baseball, this time friendly, will be in the spotlight this weekend in Laval. And for a good cause, too!

Baseball for a good cause

This Sunday, from 6 to 10 p.m. at Laval’s Parc Lausanne, a game will be played to raise funds for Alzheimer’s sufferers and their caregivers. This is the second official edition this year. In 2023, over $14,000 net was raised in a similar event.

The confrontation will pit the 4 Knights against the Bambinos. The event is a collaboration between the 4 Chevaliers and the Alzheimer Society of Laval.

Babes

If you’d like to attend, tickets cost $20 for an adult and $10 for a child.

The organizers, Carl in particular, are really friendly and will be more than happy to welcome you in good spirits for the occasion!

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MLB in brief: Anthony Santander stays in Buffalo | Eli Manning the referee

Anthony Santander stays in Buffalo

He still needs time before coming back.

Don Mattingly optimistic

The Blue Jays of 2025 are the best team for which of his career.

Eli Manning the referee

He was at the Savannah Bananas game at Yankee Stadium.

The importance of Michael King

He’s a game-changer in San Diego.

Speaking of game-changers: Ryne Nelson excels in Arizona.

Nominated for the Roberto Clemente Award

Here are the 30 finalists.

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Roki Sasaki as a reliever: the Dodgers consider it (for the end of the season)

Last winter, Roki Sasaki was one of the big names on the autonomy market. The young pitcher, who has been impressing for several years in Japan, finally landed in America sooner than expected.

The Blue Jays were in the thick of it… but in the end, Sasaki joined Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Los Angeles.

That said, Sasaki’s debut in America wasn’t a stellar one. In eight starts, Sasaki has maintained a 4.72 ERA… and he hasn’t pitched in the majors for several months due to shoulder problems.

Yet in recent weeks, Sasaki has been making rehab starts in the minors, and the Dodgers will soon have to make a decision in his case. Manager Dave Roberts was asked about it… and mentioned the idea of having Sasaki pitch in relief to finish the year.

And the young Japanese is open to the idea.

With the Dodgers currently banking on Shohei Ohtani, Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Clayton Kershaw Tyler Glasnow in the rotation, it would be hard to justify a rotation spot for Sasaki for the playoffs, especially since the youngster hasn’t broken anything as a starter this season.

On the other hand, using him in relief is interesting in that he’s capable of throwing multiple innings, but also in that we know the quality of his pitching could make him an intriguing reliever.

And when you consider that the team’s big relievers (Blake Treinen, Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates) aren’t really having great seasons, seeing Sasaki emerge as a trusted arm in the bullpen could really help the club.

So, we’ll see how things pan out for Sasaki, but don’t be surprised to see him used as a reliever over the next few weeks.

It’s probably not the scenario the Dodgers were initially hoping for… but if he can help out in relief, the club certainly won’t say no.

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Rangers vs Astros: the series to watch tonight

The Houston Astros are hoping to win an eighth American League Western Section title in the last nine seasons, with the only hiatus coming in 2020. Since 2017, Houston has reached the playoffs every year, with four World Series appearances and two titles under their belts.

But at the moment, they no longer lead their division, with the top spot now occupied by the Seattle Mariners, who currently have a one-game lead.

Admittedly, the Astros can still win the section title, as the Mariners will be visiting Houston later this week. But for now, the goal is, at the very least, to stay in the playoff picture.

And that means taking on the Texas Rangers tonight (Monday), who also have their eyes on that last available spot in the fall dance.

This three-game series will be huge for both teams.

Houston’s magic number to make the playoffs is eleven before the first game of the series. With a two-game lead over the Rangers, the Astros could just as easily find themselves one game behind in the race for second-best as with a comfortable five-game lead.

MLB

In addition to the Rangers and Mariners, the Astros will face the Sacramento A’s and Los Angeles Angels between now and the end of the season. The Rangers will face the Miami Marlins, Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Guardians, while the Mariners will face the Kansas City Royals, Colorado Rockies and Los Angeles Dodgers.

Although baseball is played on the field, Texas has a clear advantage in this respect.

So we’re in for two explosive weeks between now and the end of the campaign, just before the best baseball of the year.

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Rodger Brulotte takes a professional break

The Major League Baseball playoffs are just around the corner. And fall dancing means Rodger Brulotte on TVA Sports.

But that may not be the case this year. The much-loved baseball analyst will be taking a professional break for a few weeks, following a surgical procedure he underwent last Sunday.

The 78-year-old underwent back surgery, which will be accompanied by a period of convalescence at home, and he has indicated that, during his recovery, he will not be available.

We wish him a speedy recovery.

Rodger had to leave the studio in the middle of a game last week due to back problems. He was replaced at short notice by Karl Gélinas.

The story doesn’t say whether the flamboyant commentator will be able to describe the World Series live from the two cities involved, since it’s TVA Sports that will have the privilege of broadcasting the Fall Classic on location this year, or whether it’s Gélinas or another analyst who will accompany Denis Casavant to the United States (or to Toronto if the Blue Jays accomplish this feat).

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It’s the Phillies’ turn to secure their playoff spot

After the Brewers on Saturday night, the Philadelphia Phillies made their playoff berth official with a loss to the Giants.

For the fourth season in a row, the Pennsylvania club will be taking part in the big autumn dance in a bid to get their hands on a World Series title. The club came close in 2022, we remember.

Milwaukee has been to the playoffs seven times in the last eight seasons, and the Phillies have been there since 2022. They’ve been Nationals powers for a few seasons now, effectively.

The Phillies also have a magic number of ONE to win the Nationals East. With two weeks to go, it’s safe to say it’s a formality at this point.

The question, however, will be whether the club will be able to finish among the top two clubs in its league to earn a ticket to the divisional playoffs by avoiding the best-of-second series.

Philly is two games behind the Brewers and 4.5 games ahead of the Dodgers, who have a good chance of winning their division. And starting tonight, the two clubs cross swords in California in an important three-game series.

Elsewhere in the Nationals, the Mets finally won yesterday after eight straight losses. They gave themselves a one-and-a-half-game cushion over the Giants, but let’s just say that nothing is decided in Queens.

With two weeks to go before the playoffs, it’ll be interesting to follow.

MLB
PMLB
  • The Mariners are at the top of their division. The Angels, for the 11th year in a row, are eliminated.
MLB
  • Lawsuit in Hawaii real estate project: Shohei Ohtani defends himself.

  • Giants recall their big prospect.

  • Can the youngsters pull the Mets up?

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MLB in brief: Ernie Clement defends Canadiens fans | Historic tour for Cal Raleigh

Ernie Clement defends Canadiens fans

Brian Roberts is jealous of what’s going on in Toronto, according to the player. That’s why he’s said to have criticized the baseball IQ of Canadiens fans.

Zac Gallen with the Mets?

The club might consider it.

The importance of Alex Bregman

He’s important to culture.

Nolan Arenado back tomorrow

Will these be his last steps in St. Louis?

Historic home run for Cal Raleigh

54 home runs for an ambidextrous hitter: he joins Mickey Mantle. 43 home runs when playing catcher: he overtakes Javy Lopez.

Isaac Paredes back?

Possible.

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The Blue Jays swept aside the Orioles

Big weekend for the Blue Jays: while the Orioles were in town, John Schneider’s men swept the Baltimore club in a three-game series.

Today, it was on the heels of an 11-2 win.

Shane Bieber pitched six innings and gave up just one run. So he was the pitcher the club needed on the heels of an interesting playoff run for the Blue Jays.

And all the while, the relievers held their own.

Offensively, George Springer, Addison Barger, Ernie Clement and Joey Loperfido stepped up. The club put the ball in the safe 14 times, which says a lot about the game.

In short, it went well.

At the moment, the Blue Jays are three and a half games ahead of the Yankees and six ahead of the Red Sox. They have the tie-breaking advantage over both rivals, who will face off tonight on the heels of Sunday night baseball.

The Blue Jays’ magic number for winning the division is 10.

Making the playoffs at this point will be a formality for Toronto. The Toronto club has a magic number of five to make the playoffs. With two weeks to go, this will be made official shortly, if all goes well.

Remember that tomorrow, Trey Yesavage will be the Blue Jays’ starter. The club’s top prospect will make his Major League debut.

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Trey Yesavage to start for the Blue Jays tomorrow

As of last night, the Blue Jays have recalled Trey Yesavage. We’re talking about the club’s top prospect.

Fans have been clamoring to see him for a long time, and it’s finally happening tomorrow. Did the club’s cushion in the standings help the Blue Jays make the decision?

And what you need to know is that he’s not going to start in relief. Maybe he’ll go afterwards, but the Blue Jays wanted to give him a workload similar to what he’s used to.

So tomorrow, against the Rays, he’ll be the starter.

The Blue Jays feel that Yesavage is one of the best arms in the organization and deserves to be in the Majors.

This means that Eric Lauer, who was sent to the bullpen and hasn’t pitched much since, has been overtaken by a much better pitcher who doesn’t even have a year’s experience in the pros.

There’s no telling who will suffer in terms of personnel movement.

Yesavage, who has seen the Blue Jays limit him all year in the minors, has no innings pitched restrictions at the moment. As long as he can give some, he’ll be able to give some.

The people in charge of development can be happy with their work this year: they made Yesavage a Major League pitcher very quickly. It’s amazing how quickly he’s risen, in fact.

Whether he delivers or not remains to be seen. And if he does… watch out for the other teams.

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