Toronto shockingly missing key names as Yankees, Blue Jays reveal playoff rosters

The New York Yankees needed to make some wiggle room on their ALDS roster for the returning Luis Gil after toppling the Boston Red Sox without him. Presumably, the Toronto Blue Jays' group was about to feature a much larger shuffle to accommodate several returning injured players between the end of the campaign and the start of the final sprint.

Um ... maybe not, though?

The Blue Jays were the first team to leak their playoff roster, and rumors that Bo Bichette would be unable to participate were quickly confirmed; he was first injured against the Yankees in early September, and he will not playing this October unless Toronto advances.

Also off the list are Hall of Famer Max Scherzer, presumably healthy but struggling of late, and Chris Bassitt, who hit the Injured List on Sept. 19, but was reportedly tracking to join the postseason push. If this series reaches a Game 4, the Blue Jays will likely opt for a bullpen game to cover the innings.

Yankees, Blue Jays Playoff Rosters for ALDS Showdown: I'm sorry, where are Bo Bichette and Chris Bassitt? Mark Leiter Jr.?

"Weird" certainly is one word for it, yes.

Shame we couldn't get another crack at Scherzer after reading his pitches for filth last time from second base, but it is what it is.

Meanwhile, the Yankees' roster was also pretty far off from our expectations. Gil did make an appearance, of course, but it wasn't Paul Blackburn he was replacing. Rather, he knocked struggling middle reliever Mark Leiter Jr. out of the mix after the righty allowed opponents to hit .348 off him with a .927 OPS in the month of September. In case there was any doubt he was trending towards a non-tender, there you go. Too similar a profile to Fernando Cruz, but not as effective.

JC Escarra, the team's third catcher, will stay in the mix. The Yankees are apparently confident enough in Cody Bellinger's health not to carry Austin Slater as an extra outfield option. Got to give it to 'em. They believe in their guys.

First pitch can't come soon enough. Let's get weird.