Again in Blue Jays camp ultimately, ‘completely satisfied’ Kirk keen to arrange for season

DUNEDIN, Fla. – Shortly after 9 a.m. Thursday morning, a well-recognized sound blared from the batting cages on the Blue Jays’ spring coaching facility. Alejandro Kirk had arrived in camp, so his teammates acknowledged his presence by taking part in his walk-up music, “El Mechón” by Banda MS de Sergio Lizárraga.

“It felt nice,” Kirk stated afterward by means of interpreter Hector Lebron. “To be right here and be with my teammates once more, it’s superior.”

His arrival was delayed by two and a half weeks as a result of he was awaiting the beginning of his first youngster, a daughter born earlier this week.

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“He’s a lovable man,” added Blue Jays supervisor John Schneider. “All of us love what he does on the sector and within the clubhouse. So, it was good for him to get in. Comfortable for him and (his household), clearly, with the child. The vibe form of picks up a bit bit while you get Kirky within the combine.”

“It’s tremendous thrilling,” added Alek Manoah after making his spring debut towards the Pirates in Thursday’s 2-2 Grapefruit League tie. “We’ve missed him the previous two weeks. His daughter was born (so lately), and a day later he’s right here. It simply exhibits how a lot he cares and the way a lot he was combating to get again out right here. We’re tremendous excited to have him again and get to work.”

Understandably, baseball was going to be second on the precedence record for some time. As Kirk stated: “It’s easy. Household comes first, after which the remainder.” However on the similar time, these previous few weeks have been irritating for Kirk, who was additionally juggling commitments to the Blue Jays and Mexico’s World Baseball Traditional Workforce whereas trying to get into sport form. It wasn’t how he would have drawn it up.

“It was a mix for me,” Kirk stated. “I used to be very completely satisfied and excited for my child to be born. However on the similar time, there was a bit little bit of stress as a result of I couldn’t be right here with the blokes preparing.”

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Even when the previous couple of weeks have been a interval of limbo for Kirk, he did have some sources at his disposal in San Diego. Bullpen catcher Luis Hurtado flew out to facilitate exercises, and a pitching machine was at their disposal for blocking and receiving drills.

Kirk was additionally capable of preserve his arm in form by throwing to bases and check his legs by operating. All the things apart from hitting on the sector, basically, and if there’s one factor the 24-year-old has at all times been capable of do, it’s hit.

“I’m assured that he’ll decide up offensively,” Schneider stated. “It’s only a matter of getting him going defensively.”

On that entrance, the following week or so might be vital for Kirk, who will start by catching bullpen periods quickly. Inside every week or so, he may very well be taking part in in spring video games, however there’s no must rush that ramp-up with 4 weeks remaining earlier than opening day.

Now that he’s withdrawn from the WBC, Kirk ought to have greater than sufficient time to familiarize himself with new pitchers like Chris Bassitt and Erik Swanson. And if it requires a bit extra preparation than regular for this time of yr, he’s prepared for it.

“I do know I received’t have the common spring coaching,” Kirk stated. “It’s form of brief timing, however on the similar time, you’ve received to be good about it. We’re going to be working arduous. I do know I’ve started working a bit bit more durable to prepare for the season.”

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As soon as Kirk is prepared, he’ll be an integral a part of the Blue Jays’ plans on either side of the ball. Defensively, he’ll share catching duties with Danny Jansen. (Daulton Varsho began 18 video games behind the plate with the Diamondbacks final yr, however he hasn’t been catching this spring and expects for use as a late-innings substitute or emergency choice, somewhat than a starter.)

On the plate, Kirk will get common begins at DH together with Brandon Belt (who’s not but shut to creating his spring debut) and others. Following an All-Star season during which Kirk batted .285, posted a .786 OPS and received a Silver Slugger, he’ll start the season in the course of the Blue Jays’ batting order.

“When he’s going good, it’s a ton of on-base and a ton of contact,” Schneider stated. “You set that in the course of the order with guys hopefully getting on on the prime of the order after which him getting on for the blokes on the backside. It’s a novel profile and a very, actually good one to have in the course of so as. It’ll undoubtedly lengthen the lineup.”

The video games that matter are nonetheless weeks away, although. For now, Kirk’s able to get again to work in preparation for the challenges to come back.

“I really feel so much higher,” he stated. “Not as a lot stress (in comparison with) the final two weeks. I really feel nice to be right here. I’ve received my child and I’m very completely satisfied about that. Excited for the season now.”

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