Blue Jays takeaways: Bo Bichette nears his return; John Gibbons visits with Mets

Bo Bichette nears his return

It's been a long road back for Bo Bichette, but the Toronto Blue Jays' shortstop is finally nearing a return to the lineup. Bichette has been sidelined since May 29 with a sprained MCL, but he's been progressing well in his rehab and is now taking live batting practice.

Bichette is expected to start a rehab assignment with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons on Monday, and if all goes well, he could be back in the Blue Jays' lineup by the end of the week.

The Blue Jays have missed Bichette's bat in the lineup, as he was hitting .309 with seven home runs and 21 RBIs in 45 games before he got hurt. His return will provide a much-needed boost to the Blue Jays' offense.

John Gibbons visits with Mets

Former Blue Jays manager John Gibbons visited with the New York Mets on Sunday, and there's speculation that he could be in the running for the Mets' managerial job. Gibbons managed the Blue Jays from 2004 to 2018, and he led the team to the AL East title in 2015 and 2016.

The Mets are currently in the midst of a managerial search, as they fired Mickey Callaway after last season. Gibbons is one of several candidates who have been interviewed for the job, and he's considered to be a strong contender.

Gibbons has a lot of experience as a manager, and he's known for his calm demeanor and his ability to connect with players. He also has a good track record of success, as he led the Blue Jays to three playoff appearances during his tenure.