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The Blue Jays should not carry three catchers when Alejandro Kirk returns
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Photo credit: © Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Ben Wrixon
Jun 6, 2026, 14:00 EDTUpdated: Jun 6, 2026, 12:36 EDT
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The struggling Toronto Blue Jays are about to get their captain back. Alejandro Kirk is finally nearing a return after a two-month stint on the injured list with a broken thumb. 
The two-time All-Star has been missed in more ways than one. His reliable right-handed bat, his pristine framing, his excellent game-calling—it’s an irreplaceable combination of skills. He was central to everything the team accomplished last season, and it’s no coincidence that the current group hasn’t fared well since he went down.
However, his injury did allow Brandon Valenzuela to prove himself at the MLB level after a strong showing in Spring Training. He’s done exactly that, cementing himself as the Blue Jays’ backup catcher of the present and future. 
Tyler Heineman, meanwhile, has regressed after a career season. He’s been mistake-prone and a non-factor at the plate after a breakout campaign in 2025. Valenzuela has outplayed him in almost every aspect of the game, creating a bit of an awkward situation when it comes time to activate Kirk.
Could the Blue Jays roster all three catchers? Possibly, but they shouldn’t. 
The main reason is that Heineman simply hasn’t been good enough offensively. He’s been about 80% worse than league average at the plate by both wRC+ (19) and OPS+ (16) through 85 plate appearances thus far. 
His BABIP falling from .342 to .196 suggests good luck played a huge part in his success last season. While it also suggests he’s been somewhat unlucky in 2026, he hasn’t helped himself by walking less, striking out more, and rarely hitting the ball hard. 
Defensively, Heineman has rounded into form after making truly baffling mistakes in early April when Kirk first went down. He ranks in the 81st percentile or better in caught stealing above average, blocking, and framing. Still, he would need to be at Patrick Bailey’s level of elite to offset being a free out at the plate. 
Valenzuela has earned the second catcher job. He’s hit six home runs with a .748 OPS while also playing strong defense. Heineman is a better blocker, but Valenzuela has graded even better than him at framing pitchers and throwing out baserunners. 
Roster spots are valuable, especially for teams like the Blue Jays that frequently mix and match their offensive pieces.
Keeping Heineman would probably mean sending someone like Yohendrick Piñango or Charles McAdoo down, both of whom have already contributed significantly more to the 2026 team with their bats. Demoting either of them for Addison Barger when he returns from his elbow injury is a different story and a conversation that will be needed when the slugger returns. 
Ultimately, the Blue Jays haven’t played well enough to be sentimental. Heineman was fantastic last year, but hasn’t been a positive contributor in what has become a larger sample size in 2026. Valenzuela has proven he can be trusted as the second catcher on the roster—a third is not necessary. 

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