Blue Jays' Brandon Valenzuela: Receiving rest Wednesday
Rotowire
Valenzuela is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Marlins.
Valenzuela will be rested for Wednesday's matinee affair after he went 2-for-4 with a run scored while catching all nine innings of the Blue Jays' 8-1 win Tuesday night. Tyler Heineman will replace Valenzuela behind the dish in the series finale.
... See More... See Less
Blue Jays' Brandon Valenzuela: Sitting down Saturday
Rotowire
Valenzuela isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Pittsburgh.
Valenzuela lost his four-game hitting streak Friday, but he still reached base twice on a pair of walks, scored a run and stole a base in the victory. He'll get a chance to rest his legs Saturday while Tyler Heineman starts at catcher.
... See More... See Less
Blue Jays' Brandon Valenzuela: Idle Saturday
Rotowire
Valenzuela isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Tigers.
Valenzuela will get a chance to rest Saturday after going 1-for-2 with a walk during Friday's series opener. Tyler Heineman will pick up a start behind the plate in Valenzuela's stead and bat ninth.
... See More... See Less
Blue Jays' Brandon Valenzuela: Resting up Wednesday
Rotowire
Valenzuela is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rays.
Valenzuela will be getting a routine day off for the series finale after he had started in both of the Blue Jays' previous two contests. Tyler Heineman will handle catching duties for Toronto on Wednesday.
... See More... See Less
Blue Jays' Brandon Valenzuela: Huge day in rout
Rotowire
Valenzuela went 4-for-5 with a double, a home run, three runs scored and four RBI in Saturday's 14-1 rout of the Angels.
The rookie catcher helped break open the game with a three-run homer off Mitch Farris in the fifth inning. It was Valenzuela's fourth long ball in 22 games since his promotion, and he's slashing .246/.306/.474 with nine runs and 10 RBI to begin his first stint in the majors.
... See More... See Less
Blue Jays' Brandon Valenzuela: Knocks third homer
Rotowire
Valenzuela went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run and a walk Saturday in an 11-4 victory versus Minnesota.
Valenzuela had the biggest hit in an eight-run eighth inning for Toronto, mashing a three-run homer to center field. Saturday marked the rookie backstop's third start behind the plate over the Blue Jays' past four games, and he's gone 4-for-9 with two home runs and four RBI during that span. Valenzuela seems to be building momentum over Tyler Heineman as Toronto's primary catcher while Alejandro Kirk (thumb) remains sidelined.
... See More... See Less
Blue Jays' Tyler Heineman: Hitting bench Sunday
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
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.