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Heineman is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.
After a recent bout with back spasms, Heineman returned to the lineup Thursday and started three straight games, going 1-for-9 with an RBI and a run scored. Though Brandon Valenzuela will get the nod behind the plate Sunday, Heineman could be the Blue Jays' preferred option at catcher until Alejandro Kirk (thumb) is ready to return from the injured list.
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Blue Jays' Brandon Valenzuela: Streak of starts ends
Rotowire
Valenzuela is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Brewers.
With Tyler Heineman getting cleared to start behind the dish after a recent bout with back spasms, Valenzuela will head to the bench after he had handled catching duties in each of the prior five games. Since Alejandro Kirk (thumb) is likely to remain on the shelf for at least another month, Valenzuela should stick on the big-league roster a little while longer, but he may not be in store for much better than an even split of playing time behind the plate with a healthy Heineman.
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Blue Jays' Brandon Valenzuela: Cracks first major-league homer
Rotowire
Valenzuela went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and an additional run scored during the Blue Jays' 10-4 win over the Twins on Friday.
The Blue Jays rallied from a 4-0 run deficit to take the lead in the fourth inning, highlighted by Valenzuela's first big-league homer. The 25-year-old made his major-league debut this past Sunday against the White Sox and has shared time behind the plate with Tyler Heineman. That trend should continue for as long as Alejandro Kirk (thumb) is on the injured list, but Valenzuela could earn more starts for himself with strong play over the coming weeks.
Blue Jays' Brandon Valenzuela: Officially promoted
Rotowire
The Blue Jays recalled Valenzuela from Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.
The 25-year-old will join the big club for the first time in his career to provide depth at catcher while Alejandro Kirk (thumb) is on the injured list. Valenzuela has slashed .206/.295/.374 with four homers, 16 RBI and 11 runs scored across 122 plate appearances in Triple-A since joining the Blue Jays organization at last year's trade deadline.
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Blue Jays' Brandon Valenzuela: Could get call Saturday
Rotowire
Valenzuela might get promoted from Triple-A Buffalo after Alejandro Kirk took a foul tip off his thumb during Friday's extra-inning loss to the White Sox, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
The Blue Jays play an afternoon game Saturday, so even if X-rays on Kirk's thumb come back negative, he likely won't be available. That puts Tyler Heineman in line to get the start, but Valenzuela is the logical candidate to back him up for however long Kirk is sidelined. Valenzuela is batting .200 (3-for-15) through four games for Buffalo with a homer, four RBI and a 2:3 BB:K.
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Blue Jays' Brandon Valenzuela: Sent to Buffalo
Rotowire
The Blue Jays optioned Valenzuela to Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.
Valenzuela performed well during spring training, posting an .848 OPS across 11 Grapefruit League contests, but he will fall short of an Opening Day roster spot. Should Alejandro Kirk or Tyler Heineman have to miss any length of time during the regular season, Valenzuela would likely be promoted to provide depth behind the plate.
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Blue Jays' Brandon Valenzuela: Added to 40-man roster
Rotowire
The Blue Jays selected Valenzuela's contract from Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday.
Valenzuela is now protected from next month's Rule 5 Draft. Acquired at the trade deadline from the Padres in exchange for Will Wagner, Valenzuela slashed .224/.309/.383 with 15 home runs over 113 games between the Double- and Triple-A levels in 2025. The 25-year-old will likely begin the 2026 campaign back at Buffalo.
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Blue Jays' Brandon Valenzuela: Shipped to Toronto
Rotowire
The Blue Jays acquired Valenzuela from the Padres on Thursday in exchange for Will Wagner.
Valenzuela has slashed .229/.313/.387 with 12 homers over 87 contests at Double-A San Antonio this season. The 24-year-old catcher looks to be mostly a depth addition for Toronto.
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Padres' Brandon Valenzuela: Advances to Double-A
Rotowire
The Padres promoted Valenzuela from High-A Fort Wayne to Double-A San Antonio on Tuesday.
Through his first five games in the Texas League, the 22-year-old switch-hitting catcher has gone 3-for-13 with two doubles, three runs and a 4:4 BB:K. Valenzuela earned the bump up to San Antonio after slashing .279/.372/.456 with 15 extra-base hits over 156 plate appearances in the Midwest League.
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