Tyler Heineman C TOR Thu 1/8/26 11:33 AM
Tyler Heineman
C TOR
Heineman agreed to a one-year, $1,237,500 deal with the Blue Jays on Thursday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.
EDGE Analysis
The 34-year-old catcher is set to return as Alejandro Kirk's backup after avoiding arbitration. Heineman had a career year in 2025, logging 2.1 fWAR after having never been worth a full win over replacement in any prior season. He slashed .289/.361/.416 with three home runs, two steals and a 17.8 percent strikeout rate in 174 plate appearances.
Tyler Heineman C TOR Mon 9/15/25 4:46 PM
Tyler Heineman
C TOR
Heineman will start at catcher and bat eighth in Monday's game against the Rays.
EDGE Analysis
No. 1 backstop Alejandro Kirk will receive a day off as Toronto opens its three-game series in Tampa, paving the way for Heineman to receive a turn behind the plate. Since returning to the active roster June 3 after a stint on the 7-day injured list due to a concussion, Heineman has slashed .258/.362/.393 with two home runs, 13 RBI and 14 runs in 40 games.
Tyler Heineman C TOR Wed 8/6/25 1:28 PM
Tyler Heineman
C TOR
Heineman (head) will start at catcher and bat eighth in Wednesday's game against the Rockies.
EDGE Analysis
Heineman exited his most recent start Saturday due to a head contusion, but he avoided a concussion and made enough improvement to play the final two innings of Monday's 15-1 win. He'll make his return to the starting lineup Wednesday, but Heineman is expected to see few opportunities moving forward after top backstop Alejandro Kirk was reinstated from the 7-day injured list Sunday.
Tyler Heineman C TOR Sun 8/3/25 12:52 PM
Tyler Heineman
C TOR
Heineman (head) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Royals.
EDGE Analysis
Heineman started behind the plate in the first two games of the series with Kansas City but exited Saturday's contest after being diagnosed with a head contusion following a foul tip off his mask. Per Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca, manager John Schneider said that Heineman hasn't developed any concussion symptoms, but he's still viewed as day-to-day. In any case, his brief run as Toronto's No. 1 catcher is over, as the Blue Jays activated Alejandro Kirk (concussion) from the 7-day injured list Sunday.
Tyler Heineman C TOR Sat 8/2/25 5:16 PM
Tyler Heineman
C TOR
Heineman was removed from Saturday's game against the Royals with a head contusion, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.
EDGE Analysis
Heineman was hit by a pitch in the third inning and took a foul tip off his catcher's mask shortly afterward in the fourth, which ultimately ended his day behind the plate. The team is currently labeling his injury as a contusion, though the 34-year-old backstop will likely be evaluated for a concussion.
Tyler Heineman C TOR Wed 7/30/25 10:51 AM
Tyler Heineman
C TOR
Heineman is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Orioles.
EDGE Analysis
Heineman will get a breather for Wednesday's matinee after he went 3-for-3 while starting behind the plate in the Blue Jays' 3-2 loss Tuesday night in the second game of a doubleheader. Ali Sanchez will get the nod at catcher Wednesday, but Heineman is expected to see the bulk of the starts while top backstop Alejandro Kirk (concussion) is on the shelf.
Tyler Heineman C TOR Wed 7/30/25 9:10 AM
Tyler Heineman
C TOR
Heineman went 3-for-3 with a walk in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Orioles.
EDGE Analysis
After going 0-for-1 as a pinch hitter in the matinee, Heineman started the nightcap and kept the line moving from the eighth spot in the batting order. The 34-year-old backstop is handling starting duties for Toronto while Alejandro Kirk (concussion) is sidelined, and at least within this window, Heineman will have fantasy appeal in two-catcher formats -- he's gone 6-for-17 (.353) since the All-Star break, and on the season he is slashing a remarkable .343/.405/.520 over 119 plate appearances.
Tyler Heineman C TOR Tue 7/29/25 11:25 AM
Tyler Heineman
C TOR
Heineman is out of the lineup for the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader versus the Orioles.
EDGE Analysis
With Alejandro Kirk (concussion) landing on the 7-day injured list over the weekend, Heineman is poised to take over as Toronto's primary catcher in the interim, but the 34-year-old won't be asked to start both ends of Tuesday's twin bill. Ali Sanchez will step in behind the plate for Game 1, but expect Heineman to catch for starting pitcher Eric Lauer in the nightcap.
Tyler Heineman C TOR Sun 7/27/25 7:53 PM
Tyler Heineman
C TOR
Blue Jays manager John Schneider confirmed after Sunday's 10-4 loss to the Tigers that Heineman will see the majority of the playing time at catcher while Alejandro Kirk (concussion) is on the 7-day injured list, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
EDGE Analysis
After Kirk sustained the concussion Saturday before landing on the shelf a day later, Heineman drew the start Sunday and went 1-for-4 with a double. The journeyman backstop has seen limited starts behind Kirk this season, but he's been productive when called upon, slashing .326/.389/.495 with three home runs and two steals in 106 plate appearances. Until Kirk returns, Heineman could be worthy of a short-term pickup in AL-only leagues and mixed leagues that start two catchers.
Tyler Heineman C TOR Sat 7/19/25 9:45 PM
Tyler Heineman
C TOR
Heineman went 2-for-3 with a double, a home run and three RBI in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Giants.
EDGE Analysis
The backup catcher took Ryan Walker deep in the eighth inning for a two-run shot, providing the Blue Jays with some insurance. It was Heineman's third homer of the season and first since June 7, and while the 34-year-old has cooled down significantly in recent weeks, he's still slashing .341/.396/.518 in 85 plate appearances on the season with a remarkable 16 RBI and 19 runs -- both career highs.