Blue Jays projected to trade away struggling catcher as Alajendro Kirk works his way back

Blue Jays projected to trade away struggling catcher as Alajendro Kirk works his way back originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Toronto Blue Jays are sitting idly back at 9.5 games back of the New York Yankees for the American League East lead. Injuries have stagnated the American League representative in the World Series last season, as well as sub-par performance from those replacing them.

Tyler Heineman is at the top of the Blue Jays' list to get moved prior to the trade deadline on August 3. He is getting a lot of reps right now due to Alejandro Kirk going down with an injury on April 7 with a Fractured and Dislocated Left Thumb.

But, Kirk is now working his way back, with reports of him stating to hit again this upcoming weekend. That means, unless Heineman can make every at-bat count over the coming weeks, his tenure with the Blue Jays may soon be over.

Heineman has struggled mightily this season, with a .170 batting average in 21 games of play. He has only drove in two runs so far this season in 53 at-bats. Behind the plate, he has made three errors already in 144.1 innings.

A lot has gone wrong for the Blue Jays so far this season, but not getting any kind of replacement contribution from Heineman is at the top. He did not have to come in and completely smash the cover off of the ball, but consistency in a good way behind the plate would have gave him a better chance to stay.

For now, they have to ride it out with Heineman, and hope the the timeline for Kirk's return remains true.