Toronto Blue Jays fans concerned as catcher Alejandro Kirk continues to sit out camp awaiting birth of first child: "Father duties come first I guess"
Alejandro Kirk is expecting the birth of his first child, but the wait is starting to make the Toronto Blue Jays itchy. Kirk is yet to report to Spring Training. With him part of Team Mexico's roster, there is growing concern as to when they will see him penciled in to be the team's starting catcher.
Alejandro Kirk’s participation for Mexico at the WBC in jeopardy as he is still away from camp awaiting the birth of his child. Blue Jays manager John Schneider says the catcher is almost at point where there won’t be enough time for him to ready for both tournament & season
Alejandro Kirk was an All-Star for the Blue Jays in his third major league season in 2022. He hit .285 with 14 home runs and 63 RBI. Since his 2020 MLB debut, he has hit .278 with 23 homers and 90 RBI.
With each day ticking by, there is less of a chance that Kirk will be able to play for Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic. Furthermore, he will be ill-prepared for the upcoming Toronto Blue Jays season.
"You’re getting to the point where you really have to make the best decision for the club,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider told MLB.com Wednesday.
"Nothing yet on the baby front, so we’ve talked through a number of different scenarios regarding what’s best for him and what’s best for us. If it does get to that, then that will be part of the equation."
@ShiDavidi I think there are more important things for Daddy Kirk to worry about than freaking baseball, young man first child
@ShiDavidi father duties come first i guess 🐐
@ShiDavidi Because he will forget how to catch if he just goes straight to wbc?
@ShiDavidi @AndrewStoeten See a ton of jays fans in the replies who seem to not realize how good Kirk is already lol.
Not surprising, of course, but let's hope baby Kirk arrives sooner rather than later. #BlueJays twitter.com/ShiDavidi/stat…
Father duties come first before baseball twitter.com/shidavidi/stat…
"The Toronto Sun" reported Wednesday that the Blue Jays are considering asking Kirk not to play for Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic. Kirk remains in Tijuana, Mexico, as he continues to wait for his child's berth. While the team and player had made plans regarding this, the length of Kirk's departure has become problematic.
@KeeganMatheson My OB gave us the EXACT date when my babies are being delivered. Even if there is a variance, it's should only be a few days. Kirk could've been with the team and have enough time to go back and forth for the delivery.
@KeeganMatheson Hopefully Kirk withdraws from WBC. With the rule changes and new pitchers to learn in camp this may be the best option after having already missed time (for a good reason).
@KeeganMatheson A lot of new pitchers to get to know and work with not to mention the new rule changes. I think the #BlueJays are more important than the WBC.
According to "The Sun", Toronto's concerns are not that Kirk is out of shape. He needs time to work with the Blue Jays pitching staff considering all the new rules and guidelines MLB is debuting in 2023.
Toronto Blue Jays banking on Alejandro Kirk
Alejandro Kirk emerged as the No. 1 backstop in the Toronto Blue Jays' glut of catchers. His main competitor, Gabriel Moreno, was included in a trade that landed outfielder Daulton Varsho from the Arizona Diamondbacks in December. Kirk's backup is Danny Jansen.
"We’re right around that time frame (where a decision has to be made),” Schneider told "the Sun".
"One, it’s about building up correctly, and two, getting reps with the new rules that are being implemented and the pitch timer and things like that. It always gets heightened when you are dealing with a catcher, especially in a year like this when you are learning new rules."
While Schneider is sympathetic to Kirk wanting to be around for the birth of his first child, he says time is running short.