Alejandro Kirk nears catching return, Triple-A rehab could follow soon

Alejandro Kirk is closing in on the one step that matters most for Toronto: getting back behind the plate. The Blue Jays catcher has already resumed hitting work in Dunedin, Florida, and the next test is catching in games, a stage that would clear the way for a rehab assignment that could begin late next week if his left thumb keeps responding well.

That progression carries real weight for a Blue Jays club that has been piecing together the position with Brandon Valenzuela and Tyler Heineman. Kirk has been one of Toronto’s most important two-way players, not just for his bat but for the way he handles the staff and stabilizes the catching mix. A short rehab stop at Triple-A Buffalo would be more than a tune-up. It would be a high-interest checkpoint for a player whose everyday role at the major league level is instantly recognizable.

Kirk’s absence started when a foul tip in the 10th inning against the Chicago White Sox on April 3 struck his catching hand. He later underwent surgery on April 7 to repair a fractured and dislocated left thumb. Manager John Schneider said the club would have a better feel for the timetable after the procedure, and the early read pointed toward roughly six weeks, which lined up with late May and early June. As of May 22, MLB.com listed Kirk’s expected return as early June.

The ramp-up has moved in stages. Kirk began with dry swings, then advanced to tee work and flips, and he has been throwing regularly even before returning to full game catching. He is expected to travel to Toronto for another check-in with team doctors before the final push toward game action, a step that will determine whether the next stop is Buffalo or a longer wait.

For Toronto, the timing matters as much as the injury itself. Kirk’s return would restore a left-handed bat and a proven receiver to a roster that has had to adjust on the fly. If the thumb holds up through catching work, Triple-A Buffalo could become the final proving ground before Kirk is back in the Blue Jays lineup and back in his usual place calling the game.