Alejandro Kirk is back in the lineup Monday as Toronto opens a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies.
Kirk had a day off on Sunday after catching the first two games of the season. Tyler Heineman stepped in behind the plate for the Blue Jays’ star catcher. It was a sensible move by manager John Schneider given managing Kirk’s workload is a priority for the Blue Jays.
Through the first two games, the 27-year-old went 1-for-9 with a ninth-inning, game-tying solo home run, a walk and an additional run scored. It was a decent start for Kirk, showing the power that makes him one of the more dangerous catchers in the American League.
Heineman took over for Kirk as a capable backup option whenever Toronto needs to give him a break, going 1-for-2 at the plate with a single and two runs in Sunday’s series finale victory over the Athletics.
The decision to give Kirk a day off so early in the season underscores how important he has become to the organization. His best offensive season came in 2022, when he hit .285/.372/.415 with 134 hits and 14 home runs while earning his first All-Star selection. While his numbers have dipped since that peak, Kirk remains a top force behind the plate. He ranked second among MLB catchers in fielding run values (22) in 2025 according to MLB Savant. He earned his second All-Star nod last season on the strength of that defensive excellence and remains a top catcher in the league.
Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk (30)© Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(© Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)
In 2026, Kirk and the Blue Jays are looking to go one step further after falling to the Los Angeles Dodgers in last year’s World Series. Keeping their catcher healthy and successful starts with smart roster management by Schneider.
Kirk seeks to build on that late-game home run against the Athletics in Monday’s contest against Colorado and to remind the league why he is one of the faces of the Toronto Blue Jays franchise.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 30, 2026, where it first appeared in the MLB section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.