TORONTO (AP) — Don Mattingly is leaving his role as bench coach of the Toronto Blue Jays, who exercised manager John Schneider’s contract option for 2026 after coming within one victory of their first World Series title since 1993.

Toronto also made a $22,025,000 qualifying offer for 2026 to free agent infielder Bo Bichette, who is expected to reject it.

“He’s been important,” general manager Ross Atkins said Thursday. “We will be in his market.”

A two-time All-Star shortstop and AL hits leader, Bichette sprained his left knee in a Sept. 6 collision with New York Yankees catcher Austin Wells, forcing him to miss the end of the regular season and the first two rounds of the playoffs. He returned at second base in the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers and hit a go-ahead, th

See Full Page