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MLB catchers have it tough.
Besides trying to catch baseballs from 60 feet away — sometimes at 100 mph or more, rarely hurtling at them in a straight line — they are perilously exposed to injury in a variety of ways. As the closest defensive player on the field to the batter, foul balls pose a particular danger that no other fielder must contend with.
MORE: Blue Jays send 23-year-old pitcher to AL East rivals
Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk learned that the hard way on April 3. Kirk exited the Blue Jays’ game with an injury to his left hand when it was struck by a foul ball in the 10th inning of their game against the Chicago White Sox.
Kirk removed his glove after Austin Hays’ foul tip scraped the edge of his glove. He grabbed his thumb, motioned toward the visitors’ dugout at Rate Field, and immediately left the field with an athletic trainer.
Tyler Heineman took over for Kirk behind the plate. Chicago ultimately won the game, 5-4.
Kirk, 27, is a two-time All-Star (2022 and 2025) and won the American League Silver Slugger Award at catcher in 2022. He had two hits in his first 18 at-bats (.125) to start the 2026 season.
MORE: Blue Jays make major announcement about 2025 first-round draft pick
The Blue Jays have one other catcher, Brandon Valenzuela, on their 40-man roster who is not with the major league team. If Kirk needs to go on the injured list, expect Valenzuela to get the first call.
Toronto acquired Valenzuela in a trade with the San Diego Padres in July 2025.
Heineman, 34, is a journeyman backup catcher in his sixth MLB season — his second full season in Toronto.
MORE: Blue Jays pitcher carted off field after scary injury
Heineman is a career .243 hitter in 180 MLB games since his 2019 debut with the Miami Marlins.
Neither he nor Valenzuela can replace the offensive firepower of Kirk, who backstopped the Jays all the way to the World Series in 2025.
Kirk also backstopped Team Mexico in the recently completed World Baseball Classic.
Continue reading...
Besides trying to catch baseballs from 60 feet away — sometimes at 100 mph or more, rarely hurtling at them in a straight line — they are perilously exposed to injury in a variety of ways. As the closest defensive player on the field to the batter, foul balls pose a particular danger that no other fielder must contend with.
MORE: Blue Jays send 23-year-old pitcher to AL East rivals
Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk learned that the hard way on April 3. Kirk exited the Blue Jays’ game with an injury to his left hand when it was struck by a foul ball in the 10th inning of their game against the Chicago White Sox.
Kirk removed his glove after Austin Hays’ foul tip scraped the edge of his glove. He grabbed his thumb, motioned toward the visitors’ dugout at Rate Field, and immediately left the field with an athletic trainer.
Tyler Heineman took over for Kirk behind the plate. Chicago ultimately won the game, 5-4.
Kirk, 27, is a two-time All-Star (2022 and 2025) and won the American League Silver Slugger Award at catcher in 2022. He had two hits in his first 18 at-bats (.125) to start the 2026 season.
MORE: Blue Jays make major announcement about 2025 first-round draft pick
The Blue Jays have one other catcher, Brandon Valenzuela, on their 40-man roster who is not with the major league team. If Kirk needs to go on the injured list, expect Valenzuela to get the first call.
Toronto acquired Valenzuela in a trade with the San Diego Padres in July 2025.
Heineman, 34, is a journeyman backup catcher in his sixth MLB season — his second full season in Toronto.
MORE: Blue Jays pitcher carted off field after scary injury
Heineman is a career .243 hitter in 180 MLB games since his 2019 debut with the Miami Marlins.
Neither he nor Valenzuela can replace the offensive firepower of Kirk, who backstopped the Jays all the way to the World Series in 2025.
Kirk also backstopped Team Mexico in the recently completed World Baseball Classic.
Continue reading...
