Latest update on Tyler Heineman injury, progress of Alejandro Kirk Rehab
Photo credit: https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/
The Toronto Blue Jays catchers can't catch a break. Tyler Heineman suffered what the team calls a head contusion on Saturday against the Kansas City Royals.
Tyler Heineman was removed from the Blue Jays' game against the Kansas City Royals after taking a hard foul tip square in the mask at the top of the third inning.
The Blue Jays later said Heineman suffered a head contusion, and after the game, manager John Schneider told reporters that he's not feeling any concussion symptoms.
"It's more of a head contusion. When I went out there, it was more kind of a headache and his jaw got it a little bit," Schneider said. "So we'll check him out tomorrow, hopefully dodge a bullet, but he's doing alright."
Royals right-fielder John Rave redirected a 2-1 fastball from Max Scherzer into Heineman's mask in the top of the third, visibly shaking up the switch-hitting backstop.
He remained in the game for his at-bat in the fourth, but was pulled after being hit by a pitch and coming around to score on a sacrifice bunt and Davis Schneider single.
"He wanted to keep going, felt like he could keep going, and unfortunately, you gotta take it out of their hands sometimes," Schneider said of Heineman's resilience after making that play on offence.
Heineman was replaced behind the plate by Ali Sanchez.
Ali Sanchez in at C for #Bluejays after Tyler Heineman took a shot to the head.
Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk will be returning to Toronto on Sunday for the series finale against the Kansas City Royals
Tyler Heineman doesn't have any concussion symptoms, Schneider said, but #BlueJays will see how he is tomorrow Alejandro Kirk isn't DHing anymore in AAA tonight, to avoid any risk. He's coming to Toronto.
All-star catcher Alejandro Kirk and outfielder George Springer are both already on the 7-day concussion IL after taking a foul tip off the mask and a fastball to the helmet, respectively.
The Jays, who have had a rough week, gain a crucial win over KC. Scherzer and the pen were solid. Notably, Alejandro Kirk returns Sunday. George Springer could return Tuesday. Those injuries clearly affected TOR.
It's a good thing Alejandro Kirk will be back in the the Blue Jays lineup for the series finale against the Royals. The timing couldn't be better.
Heineman has a .333 average, .900 OPS and career-high three home runs this season, albeit in a limited 122 plate appearance sample over 42 games.
The Blue Jays have received significant value from their catching duo this season, totalling 5.6 wins above replacement at the position per FanGraphs, second to the Seattle Mariners, driven by Cal Raleigh's historic season.
| POLL | ||
AOUT 2 | 214 ANSWERS Latest update on Tyler Heineman injury, progress of Alejandro Kirk Rehab Are Alejandro Kirk and Tyler Heineman the best catching tandem in the American League? | ||
| Yes | 154 | 72 % |
| No | 48 | 22.4 % |
| Too early to tell | 12 | 5.6 % |
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