The Toronto Blue Jays are getting back Dylan Cease and Max Scherzer this week, and if everything goes according to plan, they could get another key piece to their roster this Friday.

Per manager John Schneider at his pre-game meeting with the media before today’s game against the Phillies, Blue Jays backstop Alejandro Kirk is heading to Triple-A Buffalo to continue his rehab assignment in the farm system. Schneider said that the best-case scenario is a Friday return against the Yankees if everything goes according to plan.

Kirk hasn’t played in the big leagues since April 3rd after he took a foul ball to his catching hand against the Chicago White Sox.

He started his rehab assignment in Dunedin on June 3rd and suited up in three games for the Jays, going 2 for 9 at the plate (.222) with one home run, one RBI, two walks, and two K’s. The backstop appeared in two games as a DH and one appearance behind the plate.

Before landing the IL, Kirk had three hits across 20 at-bats and was sporting a .150/.227/.350 slash line with a .577 OPS. He amassed one double and one home run with two RBIs before his injury, tossing out three batters from behind home plate (23.1% rate).

Losing Kirk put the Jays in a tough spot, as the backstop is one of the most important members on the roster. Since his injury, the catching duties have been split between Tyler Heineman and Brandon Valenzuela.

The Blue Jays will have to make a roster decision when Kirk returns, and whether the club will run with three catchers on the roster or remove one of Heineman or Valenzuela. The Jays will have to DFA Heineman if they choose to part ways with the veteran catcher, while Valenzuela still has minor league options, but has been playing better.

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