The Toronto Blue Jays have spent a lot of the primary half of the 2026 MLB season attempting to navigate round key absences. Few have been extra important than Alejandro Kirk’s.
The two-time All-Star catcher has been sidelined since early April after struggling a dislocated and fractured left thumb on a foul tip in opposition to the Chicago White Sox. The damage pressured Toronto to lean closely on Tyler Heineman and rookie Brandon Valenzuela behind the plate whereas Kirk labored his manner again.
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Now, with an important sequence in opposition to the New York Yankees approaching, Kirk seems to be closing in on his return.
Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk (30) and supervisor John Schneider.© Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
Kirk continued his rehab project with Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday. But in anticipation of his return to the majors, the Blue Jays made a notable adjustment to their unique plan.
According to The Athletic’s Mitch Bannon, Kirk was initially scheduled to catch for Buffalo on Thursday however as a substitute served because the designated hitter. He nonetheless made an affect, ripping a stand-up double within the second inning. However, the change raised questions on Toronto’s plans heading into this weekend’s sequence in opposition to the New York Yankees.
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One doable rationalization is workload administration. The Blue Jays are scheduled to face left-hander Ryan Weathers on Friday, and holding Kirk out from behind the plate Thursday may enable him to enter the weekend brisker if Toronto decides he is able to rejoin the major-league roster.
Kirk was one of Toronto’s best gamers in 2025. He appeared in 130 regular-season video games, batting .282 with 15 residence runs and 76 RBIs whereas incomes an American League All-Star choice.
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Kirk remained a high-level performer within the playoffs, serving to energy the Blue Jays’ postseason run with 5 residence runs and 13 RBIs. He additionally hit .308 within the World Series in opposition to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
His 2026 season hasn’t had an opportunity to realize momentum. Before his damage, Kirk appeared in simply 5 video games and hit .150 with one residence run.
The Blue Jays haven’t formally introduced a return date, however Thursday’s adjustment suggests the end line is close to. After greater than two months with out their beginning catcher, Toronto may quickly welcome again one of an important items of its roster simply in time for Friday’s AL East showdown at Rogers Centre.
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This story was initially revealed by Athlon Sports on Jun 12, 2026, the place it first appeared within the MLB part. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.