ARLINGTON -- A long, frustrating season for Bo Bichette has come to a quick, disappointing end.

Bichette has a fracture in his right middle finger, the Blue Jays announced prior to Thursday¡¯s 4-0 win at Globe Life Field in which they shut out the Rangers, and the timing is cruel. Bichette just spent nearly two months working back from a recurring calf injury and played in just one game -- Tuesday¡¯s 13-8 loss to the Rangers -- before injuring his finger the next day.

It was a freak accident Wednesday afternoon. Bichette was taking grounders like he always does, but a ball skipped up and hit him on the tip of his finger, which then ¡°pushed back into the joint¡± and caused the fracture.

¡°He was frustrated,¡± manager John Schneider said, ¡°but I do think he¡¯s in a pretty good place in terms of perspective and things like that. He was obviously frustrated, but [he] knows something positive will come out of this. That¡¯s what we¡¯re hoping for.¡±

Bichette will stick with the team as they fly to Tampa Bay for this weekend¡¯s series against the Rays, and will then visit with a hand specialist in-person to determine next steps. This should be a straightforward rehab process with no impact on Bichette¡¯s 2025 season, but after going through his struggles early in the season and a long rehab process already, it¡¯s difficult news for both Bichette and the organization.

When Bichette spoke prior to his return to the lineup Tuesday, it was clear he¡¯d used the time away from the team well. He¡¯d reflected on what the game meant to him -- ¡°living his dream,¡± as he put it -- and was thrilled just to be back where he belonged.

¡°I would love to have some results, obviously, but I kind of feel like I¡¯m ending on a high note already,¡± Bichette said Tuesday. ¡°I¡¯m just super grateful to be able to play the game that I love. Really, my ultimate goal here is just to have fun playing and enjoy my time.¡±

Schneider saw that mental shift from Bichette immediately, and few know the young shortstop better than the manager who has worked with him dating back to his days in the Minor Leagues. Schneider understands how competitive Bichette can be, often teetering on the edge of being his own biggest critic, and that¡¯s made parts of 2024 more difficult.

Bichette has hit just .225 with a .598 OPS over 81 games. Everyone knows Bichette is capable of so much more, but for now, Schneider looks at Bichette¡¯s season with a level of appreciation for how he handled taking blow after blow.

¡°The six weeks he spent getting back shows a lot about him,¡± Schneider said. ¡°Even with where we were, he wanted to get back just to play and be around the guys. To have that happen after one game played is the frustrating part. Bo attacks everything like that. He attacks injuries, downfalls, he attacks everything that he does. This will be no different.¡±

Now, everything officially shifts to 2025 for Bichette. It¡¯s his final year of club control in Toronto, and while there may not be a more motivated player in baseball when camps open next February, the questions about Bichette¡¯s future in Toronto will only be made more complicated by how this season has gone.

JONATAN CLASE GETS HIS SHOT
With Bichette on the IL, the Blue Jays brought up their No. 6 prospect, Jonatan Clase, the gifted young outfielder they acquired from the Mariners in the Yimi Garc¨ªa deal.

Clase is one of the best athletes in the organization, with exceptional speed and the ability to play center field and switch-hit, all of which are elements the Blue Jays need. Now, it¡¯s about filling out the rest of his game.

¡°He has all the tools,¡± Schneider said. ¡°Between his speed and his power, what he¡¯s been working on and what he¡¯ll continue to work on is controlling the zone, cutting down on swing-and-miss and putting the ball in play. He can wreak havoc on the bases and has a unique skillset of power and speed. It¡¯s about shrinking the zone from both sides of the plate and making a little more contact.¡±

Clase will get some looks in center field down the stretch. With Daulton Varsho¡¯s recovery from rotator cuff surgery potentially stretching into 2025, these will be important reps for Clase, though he has the talent to force his way onto next year¡¯s roster regardless if everything clicks.