Blue Jays place Alejandro Kirk on 10-day IL with thumb fracture - ESPN

Alejandro Kirk, Toronto's star catcher, suffered broken left thumb on a foul tip in the Blue Jays' loss in Chicago on Friday. The Blue Jays placed Kirk on the 10-day injured list on Saturday but have not provided an estimate on how long he'll be out. Given the nature of the injury, Kirk's is likely to be an extended absence.

Kirk was hit by the foul tip on his gloved hand. Catchers often shake off minor injuries during play, but Kirk immediately turned and walked off the field. Schneider remarked after Friday's game that Kirk's reaction was concerning.

Kirk, 27, served as the Jays' catcher as they made their run all the way to a Game 7 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series. Last season, he hit .282, with 15 homers, and he earned his second All-Star appearance.

Tyler Heineman presumably will take a lot of the playing time at catcher while Kirk is out. He is regarded as one of the best backups, with seven seasons of big-league experience, including five with the Blue Jays; he played 61 games last year, hitting .289 with three homers.

Catcher Brandon Valenzuela has been called up to take Kirk's place on the roster.

The Blue Jays already have been hit by injuries this spring, with starting pitchers Shane Bieber, Jose Berrios and Trey Yesavage all going down with arm problems.