TAMPA, Fla. -- Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette , sidelined since Sept. 7 with a sprained left knee, is hopeful he can return when his club opens its American League Division Series next week.

The Blue Jays, the AL's top seed, have a bye and are awaiting their ALDS opponent.

"It helps," Bichette told MLB.com, regarding Toronto's break. "I will do everything I can in the next four or five days to see what we can do."

A second opinion on the injury earlier this month in Dallas matched his original diagnosis: a sprained knee, no structural damage and no surgery required. And so his regular season ended with a .311 batting average to go along with 18 home runs and 94 RBIs.

"I'm feeling better. Every day, I'm feeling better," Bichette said. "I don't know. I don't have a date, but

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