TORONTO — After returning from a seven-week absence in Game 1 of the World Series on Friday, Bo Bichette is not in the Toronto Blue Jays‘ starting lineup for Game 2 on Saturday.

Bichette batted fourth and started at second base in Game 1 after never playing the position over his seven-year major league career. He went 1-for-2 with a walk before pinch runner Isiah Kiner-Falefa replaced him in the sixth inning. Kiner-Falefa will start at second base in Game 2.

Bichette, 27, had not played in a game since spraining his left knee in a collision at home plate at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 6. His mobility was clearly limited, though he made a difficult play on a ground ball up the middle from Teoscar Hernandez in the third inning.

A free agent after this season, Bichette rebounded from an injury-plagued 2024 campaign to finish second in the majors with a .311 batting average with 18 home runs, 94 RBIs and an .840 OPS in 139 games.