The Toronto Blue Jays playoff hopes hang by a thread. That thread will face a razor-sharp challenge in a Baltimore Orioles double-header. However, the other Blue Jays news of the day involves Brandon Valenzuela.
The first game of their doubleheader involves Max Scherzer taking the mound for the Blue Jays. He will go up against Chris Bassitt at 11:35 AM Mountain Time, 1:35 PM Eastern Time.
Toronto Blue Jays News: Brandon Valenzuela In, Alejandro Kirk Out For Game 1 Against The Baltimore Orioles
Prior to the first pitch of today’s doubleheader, the Blue Jays announced their lineup. That lineup marks Valenzuela’s return.
Here is the lineup that the Blue Jays announced:
- RF: Nathan Lukes
- LF: Josh Smith
- 3B: Kazuma Okamoto
- DH: George Springer
- 1B: Sean Keys
- SS: Andres Gimenez
- C: Brandon Valenzuela
- CF: Myles Straw
- 2B: Ernie Clement
Starting Pitcher: Max Scherzer.
“Let’s play TWO! #BlueJays50,” the team announced.
This lineup obviously includes Valenzuela in addition to Myles Straw. The 25-year-old is coming in for Alejandro Kirk, who is coming out. Brett Bateman is missing the game due to injury.
Looking At Brandon Valenzuela
Valenzuela and Kirk have been sharing home plate all season. Between injuries and hot/cold play, it hasn’t been that difficult for John Schneider to shuffle the deck once in a while.
Valenzuela was first acquired by the Blue Jays in July 2025.
“OFFICIAL: We’ve acquired C Brandon Valenzuela from the Padres in exchange for INF Will Wagner. Welcome to our Blue Jays family!” the team announced over a year ago.
Welcome to our Blue Jays family!
Valenzuela played 26 games with the Buffalo Bisons after his acquisition last year. In those games, he recorded 19 hits, six doubles, 12 RBIs, and three home runs.
Fast forward to this season, and Valenzuela has 51 hits, nine doubles, two stolen bases, 21 RBIs, and eight home runs in 88 games.
Looking at Alejandro Kirk
Of all the things that have been going wrong lately, Kirk has been one of the things going right.
The 27-year-old has nine hits, six RBIs, and one home run in his last seven games. In those games, Kirk has a .346 batting average and a .433 on-base percentage.
With these two behind the plate for the Blue Jays for the foreseeable future, Toronto will be well taken care of.
Toronto Blue Jays Announce Brandon Valenzuela News Before Big Orioles Game