The Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk has been placed on his team’s 10-day injured list due to a laceration on his left hand. Catcher Tyler Heineman has been called up from Triple-A Buffalo to fill in as Kirk’s replacement. In addition, the Blue Jays recalled right-hander Trent Thornton and optioned right-hander Bowden Francis to Buffalo.
Kirk was struck on the hand during Toronto’s 7-11 loss to the Texas Rangers on Sunday. In 59 games this season, Kirk has hit .253 with three home runs and 21 RBIs. Over his four seasons with the team, Kirk has emerged as a .272 hitter with 26 home runs and 111 RBIs.
Heineman slotted in for Kirk as a defensive replacement during the Blue Jays’ 11-0 loss to the Miami Marlins on Monday, during which he did not step up to the plate. He was also celebrating his 32nd birthday.
Previously this season, Heineman went 3-for-10 in six games, thus taking himself to 4-for-19 in 10 games for 2023. He is a career .214 hitter with one home run and 12 RBIs in 92 games. Francis has a 3.68 ERA in three relief appearances for the Blue Jays this season.
