From Buffalo to the World Series: Blue Jays who played for the Bisons

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Toronto Blue Jays are headed to the World Series for the first time since 1993, meaning plenty of players on the pennant-winning roster have spent time with the Buffalo Bisons.

In fact, 15 players on the 26-man ALCS roster spent time in Buffalo this season, even if it was just for a rehab assignment.

Stars such as Max Scherzer, Shane Bieber, Alejandro Kirk, Daulton Varsho and George Springer, who hit the go-ahead home run in the seventh inning of Game 7 on Monday night to send Toronto to the World Series, all made rehab appearances with the Bisons over the summer.

Outfielder Nathan Lukes, who has become a mainstay in Toronto's lineup, has played over 200 games in a Bisons uniform since 2022, the most of anyone on the roster. Infielder Davis Schneider has played nearly 150 games with the Bisons. Outfielder Joey Loperfido played 91 games with the Bisons this year, the most from any player on Toronto's roster this year.

Pitcher Trey Yesavage, who burst onto the scene with an electrifying 5 1/3 no-hit innings in Game 2 of the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees, came up to the Bisons from Double-A New Hampshire in August before heading to Toronto a month later. He made four starts with Buffalo. Other pitchers Braydon Fisher, Mason Fluharty and Eric Lauer all made several appearances with the Bisons this year.

Of course, star first baseman Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. was a highly-touted prospect when he played for the Bisons in 2018 and 2019 before his major league call-up, but he has not been with Buffalo since. However, he, along with Bo Bichette, who played for the Bisons in 2019 and made rehab appearances in 2023 and 2024, played for the Blue Jays when they took up residency at Sahlen Field in 2020 and 2021 during the pandemic. Springer and Kirk were also on those teams.

The Blue Jays will take on the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series. Game 1 is on Friday night in Toronto.