**Title: Blue Jays' Bichette Faces Uncertain Return for ALCS**

The Toronto Blue Jays are facing a tight deadline regarding the potential return of star player Bo Bichette for the American League Championship Series, which begins Sunday night. Manager John Schneider indicated that the chances of Bichette being ready for Game 1 appear slim due to his ongoing recovery from a left knee sprain.

"He’s done more running the bases, a lot of big swings, looked pretty good," Schneider said during a workout day at Rogers Centre. However, he added, "I think we need to see how he gets through running the bases, turning corners, things like that. Kind of just getting some feedback from him when he’s done."

Bichette has been running the bases for the past two days, but his level of aggressiveness remains uncertain as he continues to heal from the injury sustained against the New York Yankees five weeks ago. Although he has recently increased his baseball activities, the team is cautious and does not plan to rush him back into action.

Schneider acknowledged the time constraints, stating, "I think it’s a weird time crunch with the series starting and him having to check some boxes here today, too." The roster for the series must be submitted by 10 a.m. on Sunday, adding pressure to the decision-making process.

The manager was asked how much Bichette would need to contribute to be included on the roster. Schneider responded, "Not sure yet, to be honest with you. We’re trying to weigh it out. Is it every day? Is it off the bench? Obviously, you want his bat in the lineup."

He emphasized the importance of assessing Bichette's condition and how it might impact the team's overall strategy. Schneider expressed concern about the risks of playing a player who may not be fully fit, saying, "My biggest fear would be if you’re playing a guy short for a couple of days, what is that going to do for your chances to win?"

As the series approaches, the Blue Jays are weighing their options carefully. If Bichette continues to show improvement, there may be a possibility for his return later in the postseason, potentially for the World Series. Schneider stated, "We’ll know more just to see if that is an option and if that is the best thing for the first couple of games."