Alejandro Kirk has not appeared in a major league game since April 3. The Toronto Blue Jays catcher fractured and dislocated his left thumb during just his fifth game of the season and later underwent a successful surgery to repair the injury. Nearly two months later, Toronto is still waiting for one of the most important players in its lineup to return.
The Blue Jays have spent much of the season managing injuries across the roster, and Kirk’s absence has been among the most significant. But the 27-year-old has been making consistent progress in his recovery, according to manager John Schneider.
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Kirk resumed catching bullpen sessions and taking part in live batting practice at the club’s complex in Dunedin toward the end of April as he gradually rebuilt strength in the thumb. He later returned to Toronto to continue working with the Blue Jays’ medical staff.
On Wednesday, Schneider shared another encouraging update, per The Athletic’s Mitch Bannon. Kirk intends to begin hitting off a pitching machine this weekend. The hope is that he starts rehab games by the time the Blue Jays return home on June 5.
Shortly after, the club announced that Kirk has been transferred to the 60-day IL. The move makes room on Toronto’s 40-man roster after activating right-handed pitcher Austin Voth for Wednesday’s game.
Per Bannon, the move does not impact Kirk’s return timeline.
Defensively, the recovery has gone well, and the next stage is regaining comfort at the plate and rebuilding confidence in his left hand while hitting.
Despite making necessary adjustments to the Blue Jays’ lineup, Schneider has clearly missed Kirk’s presence. In 2025, Kirk hit .282/.348/.421 with 15 home runs across 130 regular-season games before playing a major role during Toronto’s playoff run.
He batted .254/.349/.493 with five home runs in the postseason as the Blue Jays reached the World Series for the first time since 1993.
Kirk is a two-time All-Star and remains one of baseball’s better defensive catchers and pitch framers.
As the Blue Jays anticipate his return, they return to the field Wednesday to close their series against the Miami Marlins. Toronto will then have a seven-game road trip beginning Thursday against the Baltimore Orioles.
The Blue Jays enter the stretch at 26-29 and third in the American League East, with plenty of baseball still to play this season.
