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Alejandro Kirk will be returning to the Blue Jays’ lineup for tonight’s game against the New York Mets, according to Sportsnet’s Hazel Mae.
Alejandro Kirk expected to be back with the big club tonight, and make the start behind the plate for LHP Steven Matz. #BlueJays pic.twitter.com/HHUU2aruI2
— Hazel Mae (@thehazelmae) July 23, 2021
Starting catcher Danny Jansen was removed from Wednesday’s Buffalo finale after limping to second base on a double. It was later revealed to be right hamstring tightness, the same place he had strained that forced his placement on the injury list in June. Kirk must be replacing an injured player as fewer than 10 days have elapsed since he was activated from the 60-day IL and optioned to triple-A on Tuesday.
Between his optional assignment and his major league rehab, Kirk played 14 games with triple-A Buffalo / Trenton, hitting .347/.393/.531 with a couple of home runs, including one off of Drew Jackson (who is normally a shortstop).
Alejandro Kirk caps a four-hit night with a two-run homer off of the Syracuse Mets' Drew Jackson (a shortstop). pic.twitter.com/0jGCwufcxQ
— Minor Leaguer (@Minor_Leaguer) July 21, 2021
Jansen, who we presume is the player headed to the IL, has hit a lot better since his return in early July after missing a month with the hamstring injury. Over 18 plate appearances he had been hitting .294/.333/.706, recording two homers and a double.
Update
Minutes after this story went up, the Blue Jays confirmed our presumption: Danny Jansen is headed to the IL with a right hamstring strain.
ROSTER MOVES:
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) July 23, 2021
C Danny Jansen (right hamstring strain) placed on 10-day IL
C Alejandro Kirk recalled from Triple-A pic.twitter.com/RvWbuNzhmo