MIAMI – Bo Bichette was removed the Toronto Blue Jays’ lineup less than an hour before their game against the Miami Marlins.
Bichette was pulled due to left thumb discomfort as Toronto looks to win its three-game series in south Florida.
The all-star was replaced at shortstop by Santiago Espinal.
Bichette is hitting .317 this season with 14 home runs and 46 runs batted in this season.
Espinal has a .216 average with one homer and nine RBIs this season.
Earlier Wednesday, the Jays reinstated Brandon Belt from the 10-day injured list.
The 35-year-old Belt missed time with a left hamstring inflammation.
Spencer Horwitz was optioned to Toronto’s triple-A affiliate in Buffalo, N.Y., in a corresponding move.
Belt is hitting .263 this season with four home runs and 16 runs batted in over 152 at-bats.
Horwitz had two hits, scored a run and had an RBI in eight at-bats in his three games with Toronto this season.
Belt signed a one-year deal with the Blue Jays worth US$9.3 million Jan. 10.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 21, 2023.