Blue Jays’ Alejandro Kirk News Emerges After 23 Missed Games

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gavin Groe | Last updated Apr 30, 2026 7:16 PM ET

The Toronto Blue Jays season is finally beginning to turn around, thanks in part to the club winning seven of its last 10 games. They have done it while playing shorthanded for most of April, including being without All-Star catcher Alejandro Kirk.

The 27-year-old suffered a fractured left thumb earlier this month during a game against the Chicago White Sox when he was struck by a foul ball behind the plate.

He was placed on the 10-day injured list and later underwent surgery, leaving Toronto without one of its most important players. In his absence, the Blue Jays have relied on Tyler Heineman and rookie Brandon Valenzuela to handle catching duties.

Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk (30) Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

However, neither catcher can replicate the impact Kirk provides on a nightly basis. He is one of the best framers in MLB, consistently stealing strikes for Toronto’s pitching staff, and he remains one of the club’s most reliable offensive players. Kirk was off to a slow start this season, but his track record speaks for itself.

Across seven years with the Blue Jays, he owns a .267 batting average, .343 on-base percentage and .741 OPS, and he is a former Silver Slugger winner. And now, Toronto finally received its first encouraging update in weeks.

Ahead of Thursday’s game against the Minnesota Twins, the first progress report on Kirk emerged. “Alejandro Kirk has started throwing in Dunedin. Still no hitting and catching yet, his recovery on schedule,” reported Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.

Alejandro Kirk has started throwing in Dunedin. Still no hitting and catching yet, his recovery on schedule. Nathan Lukes has left for PDC to begin his progression.
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) April 30, 2026

This marks Kirk’s first baseball activity since undergoing surgery nearly a month ago. His recovery timeline has him returning in roughly six weeks, putting him on track for a mid May comeback. That gives him time to ramp up properly, but the important part is that he remains on schedule.

Kirk’s eventual return would be a major boost for a Blue Jays team still sitting below .500 at 14-16 but beginning to build momentum. Toronto needs his bat, his framing and his presence behind the plate, and as long as his thumb continues to heal without setbacks, the Blue Jays can finally look forward to getting one of their cornerstone players back.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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