Bichette avoids major injury, day-to-day with knee inflammation

Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette was forced to leave Monday's game against the AL East-leading Baltimore Orioles in the third inning after injuring his right leg while rounding first base.

The team later announced the injury as right knee discomfort.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Tuesday that an MRI on Bichette's knee revealed no significant structural damage, according to Sports Illustrated's Mitch Bannon. The skipper added that the 25-year-old is dealing with inflammation and is currently day-to-day.

General manager Ross Atkins added the club is very encouraged by the news.

"It is a big hit to us, hence the acquisition (of Paul DeJong)," Atkins said, according to Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. "We're very optimistic that he will (be) helping our team again (this season)."

The two-time All-Star was tended to by training staff but was able to walk off the field. He was thrown out on the inning-ending play.

Santiago Espinal took over at shortstop in the top of the fourth inning.

Bichette is in the midst of a career year, leading the American League with 142 hits and a .318 batting average while boasting an .842 OPS with 17 homers and three steals.

The Blue Jays and Orioles began a key four-game series at Rogers Centre on Monday. The O's hold a 1.5-game lead in the division over the second-place Tampa Bay Rays, while Toronto is 5.5 games back of Baltimore and currently occupies the second AL wild-card spot.