Blue Jays Announce Alejandro Kirk Move Before Rockies Game

Still, Kirk’s track record as a former Silver Slugger Award winner and two-time All Star suggests he is fully capable of bouncing back and returning to form in the middle of Toronto’s order.  

Unfortunately for him, that chance will not come on Tuesday in the second game of the three-game set against Colorado at home. The Blue Jays announced their lineup, and for the second time this season, Kirk was held out.  

Instead, his backup Tyler Heineman was slotted in behind the plate and hitting eighth. Kirk will likely be available off the bench, but he will not start. This is the second time he has been held out, likely tied to managing his workload as a catcher early in the year. 

When Kirk’s next opportunity arrives, either in a pinch-hit appearance or on Wednesday, he will look to get back on track. His 2025 season was one of the best of his seven-year career. The 27-year-old posted a .282 batting average, .348 on base percentage, .769 OPS, 15 home runs and 76 RBIs across 130 games.  

Last year was also his first as Toronto’s full-time starting catcher after Danny Jansen, who had frequently split time with him, was traded in 2024.

Kirk remains a central piece of Toronto’s long-term plans, signed to a five-year $58 million contract extension in March 2025 that secures him through the 2030 season. 

If he can rediscover his form at the plate, Kirk should once again be a stabilizing force for a Blue Jays team built to contend deep into the season.