The Blue Jays’ catching situation took another hit yesterday as the club placed Tyler Heineman on the seven-day concussion list and summoned Ali Sanchez from Triple-A Buffalo to fill the roster vacancy.
Heineman, who’s served as a depth option behind the plate this season, reported concussion symptoms after taking a foul tip off his mask during Tuesday’s game against the Yankees. The move further thins Toronto’s catching corps, which has faced several challenges this season.
“We’ve been monitoring Tyler since that shot he took,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider told me during yesterday’s pre-game media session. “Player safety comes first, and with head injuries, you absolutely can’t take chances.”
Sanchez, 27, arrives after putting together solid numbers with the Bisons this season. The Venezuelan backstop has hit .288 with a .342 on-base percentage across 56 games in Buffalo, displaying the kind of consistent bat that could provide value during his major league opportunity.
“Ali’s been working extremely hard on both sides of his game down in Buffalo,” said Blue Jays catching coordinator Ken Huckaby. “His game-calling has really developed, and he’s built strong relationships with many of our pitchers who’ve moved between Buffalo and Toronto.”
This marks Sanchez’s first appearance on Toronto’s active roster since signing with the organization as a minor league free agent in November. His previous MLB experience includes 10 games with the St. Louis Cardinals last season and brief time with the New York Mets in 2020.
Toronto’s catching situation has been in flux since trading away Gabriel Moreno in the deal that brought Daulton Varsho to the club. Danny Jansen and Alejandro Kirk have handled the majority of duties behind the plate, but Jansen’s recent hamstring issue has created opportunities for depth options.
“Catching depth is something every organization values tremendously,” veteran pitcher Chris Bassitt explained. “These guys take a beating back there, and having someone like Sanchez who can step in and already knows our staff from spring training and Buffalo is huge.”
What stands out about Sanchez is his defensive reputation. According to Baseball Prospectus metrics, he ranks above average in framing metrics at the Triple-A level, potentially bringing value even if his bat takes time to adjust to major league pitching.
The timing is particularly challenging as Toronto battles to stay relevant in the competitive AL East race. Currently sitting 5.5 games back of the final Wild Card position, the Blue Jays need all hands on deck during this crucial stretch before the trade deadline.
For Heineman, this represents another setback in what has been a challenging season. The 33-year-old backstop has appeared in just 18 games for Toronto this season, hitting .194 with three RBIs in limited action.
“The concussion protocol exists for good reason,” noted Blue Jays head athletic trainer José Ministral. “Tyler’s symptoms weren’t severe, but with brain injuries, we follow the established process every time.”
The seven-day concussion IL was specifically created to address the unique nature of head injuries, giving players a shorter recovery runway while still ensuring proper medical evaluation.
This roster shuffle comes at a particularly busy time for Toronto’s front office, with the trade deadline approaching and significant decisions looming about the team’s direction. Whether Sanchez’s promotion represents a short-term fix or potential longer opportunity remains to be seen.
What is clear is that Toronto’s depth is being tested across multiple positions as the dog days of summer arrive. How these depth pieces perform could determine whether the Blue Jays become buyers or sellers as July progresses.
“Every guy who comes up has a chance to impact our season,” Schneider emphasized. “Ali’s here because he’s earned it with his performance, and we’re confident he can help us win games.”
The Blue Jays continue their homestand tonight against Baltimore with Sanchez available off the bench if needed.
