Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette couldn’t play in Sunday’s game against Tampa Bay because of neck spasms.
Ernie Clement took his place in the lineup. Bichette had two hits in 12 at-bats (.167) with two RBIs in the first three games of the season.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider, after a 9-2 win, said Bichette got treatment during the game and is day to day.
“Game four, you don’t want to push it and make it any worse,” Schneider said. “I think it was just one of those deals where you wake up, and it wasn’t really feeling right.”
Third baseman Justin Turner batted third instead of Bichette. Turner had three hits, including a homer, and drove in four runs.
Ace Kevin Gausman, who started spring training on March 25 because of shoulder fatigue, made his first start and allowed one run, two hits, and struck out six in 4 1/3 innings while on a pitch count. The right-hander threw 69 pitches.
“The last two weeks, I think I have kind of surprised myself with how well I’ve felt, which is always nice when you’re 33,” Gausman said. “When you can surprise yourself body-wise, that’s a nice surprise.”
Gausman will throw 80–85 pitches in his next outing.
