With his no-days-off approach, Bichette primed for monster season

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TORONTO — No days off.

It’s become a cliché phrase, but it actually means something to Bo Bichette.

His goal every single year is to play all 162 games, wire to wire, start to finish.

Knowing how aware Bichette is of his body and the advanced preparation methods he’s shown in his short time as a big leaguer, Toronto Blue Jays decision-makers are on board with the idea, as well.

“We’re going to let him go,” bench coach John Schneider said with a smile. “Open up the governor and say, ‘Go ahead, Bo.’

“He’s smart enough to know if something is going to keep him out a day or two as opposed to a week or 10 days, he’s going to be smart about it. But it’s a luxury for

Charlie (Montoyo) because we know he takes care of himself and he’s going to make himself available.”

Bichette might’ve accomplished the feat last year if he didn’t foul a couple balls off his shin in a span of a couple days in August, forcing him out of the lineup and leaving him at 159 games played when all was said and done.

It’s an old school approach Bichette is taking and the reason is simple: He loves what he does and he believes in being accountable.

“The way I look at it is it’s my job to do it, to be available every single time we have a game,” Bichette said ahead of opening day Friday night at the Dome against the Texas Rangers. “I also think that playing every game takes care of a lot. It means that I have the trust in my coaches, manager, teammates and also producing. I don’t even know where it comes from, I just want to be out there.”

In an age of sport science and built-in rest days, there will be times he has to be smart and will maybe have to give up his quest for 162, but watching a 30-year-old Marcus Semien play every single