Blue Jays' Alejandro Kirk: Returns to lineup Wednesday
Rotowire
Kirk (illness) is starting behind the plate and batting fifth in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles.
The 24-year-old was scratched from Sunday's lineup due to a non-COVID-related illness, but he'll return to action Wednesday after a couple days of rest. Kirk remains on track to work behind the plate for Toronto on Opening Day next week.
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Blue Jays' Alejandro Kirk: Goes through full workout
Rotowire
Kirk (illness) went through a full workout Monday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Kirk had to be scratched from Sunday's lineup with a non-COVID-related illness but was feeling better a day later. The Blue Jays are off Tuesday, setting Kirk up for a possible return to game action Wednesday.
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Blue Jays' Alejandro Kirk: Scratched with illness
Rotowire
Kirk was scratched from Sunday's Grapefruit League lineup against the Rays due to a non-COVID-19 illness.
Kirk was penciled in to start behind the plate and bat cleanup, but an ailment will prevent him from taking the field. The 24-year-old's status for Opening Day shouldn't be affected by the illness, and he'll likely return to the lineup within the next few days.
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Blue Jays' Alejandro Kirk: Making spring debut Monday
Rotowire
Kirk (personal) will start at catcher and bat third in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox.
As Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun notes, rain is in the forecast in Dunedin, Fla. for Monday's game, so Kirk could have his spring debut pushed back a day or play fewer innings behind the plate than anticipated. In any case, Kirk looks on track to be ready to go for Opening Day, after he had previously spent the early part of camp away from the team to witness the birth of his child. After hitting .285 with 14 home runs and 63 RBI in 2022 while also making his first All-Star Game appearance, Kirk profiles as a strong No. 1 catcher for fantasy squads during the upcoming season.
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Blue Jays' Alejandro Kirk: Could get in game by Sunday
Rotowire
Kirk (personal) could make his Grapefruit League debut as soon as Sunday or Monday, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.
Kirk didn't report to camp until the beginning of March after being away from the team while awaiting the birth of his child. He's getting back up to speed, though, and is nearly ready for games.
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Blue Jays' Alejandro Kirk: Expected in games next week
Rotowire
Kirk (personal) arrived to Blue Jays camp Thursday and is expected to be ready for game action during the second half of next week, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Kirk was away from the team while awaiting the birth of his child but has now joined the team. He had been working out on his own while at home in California, though, so the Blue Jays expect him to get back up to speed quickly and be ready in plenty of time ahead of Opening Day.
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Blue Jays' Alejandro Kirk: Set to join team Thursday
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Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Kirk (personal) is expected to report to spring training Thursday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Kirk has been away from the team while awaiting the birth of his child. The backstop will have some catching up to do after missing the first few weeks of spring training, but Matheson relayed he's been doing individual work in California while away from the team. Kirk is expected to serve as the Blue Jays' Opening Day backstop, and he should be in store for frequent starts at designated hitter on days when Danny Jansen catches.
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Blue Jays' Alejandro Kirk: Withdraws from WBC
Rotowire
Kirk (personal) withdrew from the Mexican World Baseball Classic team Saturday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Kirk isn't dealing with an injury, but he's yet to arrive at camp as he awaits the birth of his child. Both he and the Blue Jays felt that his eventual arrival wouldn't give him time to adequately prepare to catch Toronto's new pitchers and acclimate to the new MLB rules while also spending time with Team Mexico. The news is a blow to Mexico's chances of advancing beyond the first round of the World Baseball Classic for the first time since 2009.
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Blue Jays' Alejandro Kirk: Uncertain for WBC
Rotowire
Blue Jays manager John Schneider noted Wednesday that Kirk (personal) might not be able to represent Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Kirk has not yet arrived at Blue Jays camp in Florida as he awaits the birth of his child. "You're getting to the point where you really have to make the best decision for the club," Schneider said Wednesday. "Nothing yet on the baby front, so we've talked through a number of different scenarios regarding what's best for him and what's best for us. If it does get to that, then that will be part of the equation." Team Mexico is set to begin WBC play on March 11 in Phoenix.
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Blue Jays' Alejandro Kirk: Not yet in camp
Rotowire
Kirk has yet to report to spring training as he awaits the birth of his child, Gregor Chisholm of The Toronto Star reports.
"We're still on baby watch," Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Friday. "I thought it was going to be (Thursday). My last update this morning was, 'Not quite yet.' " Kirk is going to play for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic, so after he does report he might only get in a couple weeks work before departing for the tournament in early March.
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Blue Jays' Alejandro Kirk: Sitting for second game
Rotowire
Kirk is out of the lineup for the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader with the Orioles.
Kirk will end up getting the full day off after he was on the bench for the Blue Jays' 5-4 loss in Game 1 of the twin bill. Danny Jansen will get a turn behind the plate while Teoscar Hernandez serves as Toronto's designated hitter.
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Blue Jays' Alejandro Kirk: On bench for matinee
Rotowire
Kirk isn't starting the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Orioles.
Kirk went 0-for-4 with a strikeout Monday and will retreat to the bench for the second time in the last three matchups. Danny Jansen is serving as the designated hitter and batting cleanup.
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Blue Jays' Alejandro Kirk: Day off Tuesday
Rotowire
Kirk is not in Tuesday's lineup against the Orioles.
Several of the Jays' regulars are getting Tuesday off, including Kirk. Gabriel Moreno is starting behind the dish.
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Blue Jays' Alejandro Kirk: Heads to bench Sunday
Rotowire
Kirk is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Red Sox.
Kirk is 4-for-28 across his past eight games and will take a seat for Sunday's series finale. George Springer will receive some rest as the designated hitter while Jackie Bradley starts in center field.
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Blue Jays' Alejandro Kirk: Resting Wednesday
Rotowire
Kirk is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Yankees, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.
After starting each of the past eight games as either a catcher or designated hitter, Kirk will effectively get two days of rest while he sits Wednesday and with the Blue Jays off the schedule Thursday. Danny Jansen will handle catching duties in the series finale while George Springer serves as Toronto's designated hitter.
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Blue Jays' Alejandro Kirk: Up to 62 RBI
Rotowire
Kirk went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Sunday's 7-1 win over the Rays.
The solo shot brought Kirk's RBI total to 62 on the season, good for fifth among all players who qualify at catcher. The 23-year-old backstop will be serving as Toronto's designated hitter in Monday's series opener with the Yankees, batting cleanup against New York right-hander Luis Severino.
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Blue Jays' Alejandro Kirk: Drives in two in return
Rotowire
Kirk (hip) went 3-for-5 with a walk, two RBI and two runs in Tuesday's 18-11 win over the Phillies.
Kirk didn't miss a beat in his return to the lineup following a one-week absence due to the hip injury. The All-Star backstop served as Toronto's designated hitter Tuesday and could end up seeing the majority of his starts in a non-defensive role to close out the season, as fellow backstop Danny Jansen has swung a hot bat of late to stake his claim to a regular spot in the lineup at catcher.
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Blue Jays' Alejandro Kirk: Returns to action Tuesday
Rotowire
Kirk (hip) is starting at designated hitter and batting cleanup Tuesday against the Phillies.
He makes his anticipated return to the heart of the Jays lineup after missing almost a week with the hip injury. Kirk is hitting .289 with four runs and eight RBI this month but he is still searching for his first September home run.
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Blue Jays' Alejandro Kirk: Expected back Tuesday
Rotowire
Kirk (hip) is expected to return Tuesday against the Phillies, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Kirk was excluded from the lineup for a fifth consecutive game Sunday against the Orioles, but he was available off the bench if needed. The 23-year-old should be able to return to the lineup following Monday's scheduled day off.
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Blue Jays' Alejandro Kirk: Still out Sunday
Rotowire
Kirk (hip) is not in Sunday's lineup against the Orioles.
It sounds like Kirk is day-to-day at best, and he may not be ready to return even after Monday's off day. Kirk was not yet able to run on the field Friday, but he was hitting and playing catch.
