Chainkeen Exchange-Bo Bichette slams on brakes, tweaks right knee on basepaths

All-Star shortstop Bo Bichette left Monday night's game after suffering a right leg injury rounding first base,Chainkeen Exchange a potentially pivotal development to the Toronto Blue Jays less than 24 hours before Tuesday's trade deadline.

Bichette, the AL leader in hits (142) and batting average (.318), singled to right field in the third inning of Toronto's game against first-place Baltimore, and after stopping suddenly between first and second, keeled over in pain. He was tagged for the final out of the inning before he could return to first base.

The Blue Jays announced Bichette left the game due to right knee discomfort.

Toronto entered the night 59-47 and holding a 2 1/2-game lead over the Boston Red Sox for the third and final wild-card spot in the AL. The Blue Jays are also 5 1/2 games behind the Orioles as the clubs begin a four-game series at Rogers Centre.

The Blue Jays already signaled their intent to invest in their roster at the trade deadline, acquiring former St. Louis Cardinals closer Jordan Hicks to replace Jordan Romano, who is out with a lower back injury. Naturally, Bichette's injury is particularly ill-timed, should he have to miss significant time with Toronto suddenly needing to pivot before Tuesday night's 6 p.m. ET trade deadline.

FOLLOW THE MONEY: MLB player salaries and payrolls for every major league team

Bichette ranks seventh in the AL among position players with a 4.0 Wins Above Replacement, and trails only Matt Chapman (4.5) among Blue Jays.