Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette has been scratched from Sunday’s lineup against the Tampa Bays Rays due to neck spasms, the team announced.
Originally scheduled to bat third, Bichette will be replaced by Ernie Clement at short, who will bat sixth. Justin Turner will move into the three-hole.
“You don’t want to push it and make it any worse,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said after the game. “He was getting treatment after the game… status is day to day, we will see how he is when we get into Houston.”
Bichette has gone 2-for-12 this season with a double and two RBIs in Toronto’s first three games. The 26-year-old slashed .306/.339/.475 over 135 games in 2023, missing time in August due to a right knee injury.
Clement made his season debut on Saturday. He went 2-for-4 with two singles.
As a result of the Blue Jays trading Santiago Espinal to the Cincinnati Reds during spring training, Clement will primarily handle the backup shortstop duties this season.