The catcher has been out since the first road trip of the season, but he's working his way back.
Speaking before Friday's series opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider provided some optimistic injury news on starting catcher Alejandro Kirk, who has been out since the first road trip of the season with a broken left thumb.
Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet reports that Kirk is already ready to catch in games, but the progression has been slower on the hitting side of things. His next steps are to hit off machines, then live pitchers and then get into rehab games. Zwelling says that Kirk could begin rehab games toward the end of next week, putting him on track to return sometime in early-mid June if things go well.
About Kirk
Now 27-years-old, Kirk is already a seven-year veteran of the Blue Jays. A two-time All-Star, he's one of the best contact hitters in the league and a leader of the pitching staff. He's a career .267 hitter with 52 homers and 265 RBIs. He hit .282 a season ago as the Blue Jays advanced to Game 7 of the World Series, losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
He's out to a .150 start this season through just five games with a homer and two RBIs.
He also represented Mexico at the World Baseball Classic this March.
Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk (30) hits an RBI-double against the Chicago White Sox during the second inning at Rate Field. Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn ImagesAbout the Jays injury situation
Kirk is far from the only member of the Blue Jays to be on the injured list this season.
So far, the Blue Jays are currently out Cody Ponce, Bowden Francis and Jose Berrios, all of who are out for the season. Furthermore, Anthony Santander might miss the entire season. Shane Bieber, Max Scherzer, Kirk and Addison Barger are all on the injured list and George Springer has already spent time on the injured list, but is now back.
Up next for the Jays
The Blue Jays enter play on Friday at 23-27 and in third place in the American League East. They'll host the Pirates (26-24) at Rogers Centre at 7:07 p.m. ET.
Right-hander Kevin Gausman will take the mound for Toronto while top prospect Bubba Chandler pitches for Pittsburgh. Gausman is 3-3 with a 3.45 ERA while Chandler is 1-5 with a 5.14. Though he's struggled, he has one of the best fastballs in the league, so the Jays will have to be ready to capitalize on opportunities.
With Paul Skenes pitching on Saturday, it could be extra important to take care of those opportunities against Chandler.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
Remember to join our BLUE JAYS on ROUNDTABLE community, which is FREE! You can post your own thoughts, in text or video form, and you can engage with our Roundtable staff, as well as other Blue Jays fans. If prompted to download the Roundtable APP, that's free too!
