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Alejandro Kirk, Blue Jays catcher, leaves game against Orioles due to left elbow contusion

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Alejandro Kirk, Blue Jays catcher, leaves game against Orioles due to left elbow contusion

July 31, 2024

The Toronto Blue Jays removed catcher Alejandro Kirk from Tuesday’s game against the Baltimore Orioles after he was hit by a pitch.

The team announced he was removed due to a left elbow contusion.

Orioles starter Corbin Burnes hit Kirk on the left arm with a 98 m.p.h. fastball during the top of the sixth inning. Kirk appeared to be in pain as he walked to first base and was looked over by Blue Jays head athletic trainer Jose Ministral and manager John Schneider.

Although Kirk remained on base, he did not return for the bottom of the inning as Brian Serven took the field at catcher.

Kirk helped the Blue Jays score their first run of the game with a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning to bring home Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

The 25-year-old has been swinging a hot bat entering Tuesday with a .333 batting average and 20 hits over his last 16 games.

Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk was forced to leave the game against the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday night due to a left elbow contusion. The injury occurred in the fourth inning when Kirk was hit by a pitch from Orioles pitcher Jorge Lopez.

Kirk immediately went down in pain and was attended to by the team’s medical staff. After a brief evaluation, it was determined that he would need to be removed from the game for further evaluation.

The 22-year-old catcher has been a bright spot for the Blue Jays this season, hitting .225 with three home runs and 14 RBIs in 26 games. His solid defense behind the plate has also been a key factor in the team’s success.

It is unclear how long Kirk will be sidelined with this injury, but the Blue Jays will likely provide an update on his status in the coming days. In the meantime, backup catcher Reese McGuire will likely see an increase in playing time until Kirk is able to return to the lineup.

Injuries are always a concern in baseball, especially for catchers who are constantly in the line of fire behind the plate. Hopefully, Kirk’s injury is not serious and he will be able to return to action soon to help the Blue Jays continue their push for a playoff spot.