Kirk Returns to Sahlen Field for Rehab

By: Brian Frank

Alejandro Kirk returned to Sahlen Field on Tuesday night, continuing his rehab from a broken left thumb suffered on a foul tip in early April. The two-time American League All-Star is no stranger to Buffalo's ballpark. He made his major league debut here on Sept. 12, 2020, against the New York Mets, when the Blue Jays were using Sahlen Field as their temporary home due to the closure of the U.S.-Canada border during the pandemic. He collected his first big-league hit that day, a single off Mets reliever Chasen Shreve, and belted his first major league home run here nine days later—a solo shot off Yankees reliever Chad Green. He added a double and two singles that day to go 4-for-4.

The 27-year-old Tijuana, Mexico, native said he’d been reminiscing earlier in the day about the Blue Jays' stay in the Queen City.

"It's exciting being back," Kirk said through interpreter Ángel Guzmán . "It's good memories for sure."

Batting Tuesday night in downtown Buffalo. Photo Courtesy of the Buffalo Bisons Baseball Club.

Kirk was the Bisons' designated hitter Tuesday night in the Herd's rain-shortened 7–2 victory over the Syracuse Mets, called in the top of the sixth inning. He struck out in the first inning, hit a soft liner to the first baseman in the second, and drew a five-pitch walk in the fourth.

"It was really good coming back to the Triple-A level [to face] better competition," Kirk said. "The importance here is getting the ABs, getting back in tune with myself, with my swing. Getting in rhythm and getting back into my regular routine with catching and hitting."

Kirk's injury is one of many the Blue Jays have been forced to overcome this season. With several of last season's key contributors sidelined, the team has received significant contributions from recent Bisons call-ups, including Brandon Valenzuela and Yohendrick Piñango.

"It's been awesome seeing them perform on the biggest stage for sure," Kirk said. "As a team, we needed those guys to step up when the injuries came. It's been huge seeing those guys coming up and stepping up to the plate and contributing to the team."

Kirk's return to Toronto should help bolster a Blue Jays lineup that has struggled much of the season. One of the best defensive catchers in the game, Kirk slashed .282/.348/.769 with a career-high 15 home runs last season, then added five postseason home runs for the American League Champions—including two in the World Series. He slashed .308/.441/.538 in the epic seven-game Fall Classic.

"It's a little frustrating for sure, seeing the guys on TV and not being able to be with them," he said of his two-month absence. "But we know we have a good team over there, a good group of guys who are doing everything they can to be back as a winning team. I'm excited to be back and help them win."

Kirk is scheduled to return to the Bisons' lineup Wednesday and Thursday. He is expected to catch both games. Thursday night’s contest is of particular interest to Bisons and Blue Jays fans, with Kirk scheduled to be behind the plate and 2020 Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber slated to take the mound. The two join a list of prominent big-league names to rehab with the Bisons recently, including starting pitchers Max Scherzer, Dylan Cease, and Trey Yesavage.

"I'm very excited for the next couple days," Kirk said. "I haven't caught a ton. I only caught a couple innings back in Dunedin on my rehab assignment."

"Every day that passes I feel a little bit better. Catching, I haven't had any issue with it. Hitting sometimes has bothered me. It just depends on the situation. But every day I'm feeling better and getting back into the game."