Tyler Heineman Blue Jays Removal Ends in 4-3 Loss to Twins

Tyler Heineman blue jays removal came after John Schneider took the Toronto catcher out of Sunday’s 4-3 loss to the Minnesota Twins. Schneider called it a manager’s decision, and he said Heineman did not suffer an injury on the play.

Heineman’s sixth-inning exit

Heineman left after popping out to left field with the bases loaded to end the top of the sixth inning. Brandon Valenzuela replaced him in the bottom half of the frame, ending a night that turned on one at-bat and one call from the dugout.

The 34-year-old did not hide from it afterward. “That at-bat was pretty trash.” He also said, “I popped up on a pitch I should have drove.”

Schneider’s call in Toronto

Heineman backed the move even while sounding frustrated with his own swing. “He probably saw something he shouldn’t have saw or that I did wrong. He made a decision.” He added, “I think it’s just the situation, everything that’s been going on. I just didn’t get it done.”

Heineman also said, “It’s the manager’s decision. I stick by it.” He described Schneider as “one of the best managers in the game and the best manager I’ve played for.”

The timing carried extra weight because Heineman has been getting significant playing time this season with Alejandro Kirk sidelined after breaking his thumb against the Chicago White Sox on April 3. Through 21 games, Heineman is hitting.176 with two RBIs and a.399 OPS, a sharp drop from last season’s.289 average, three homers and 20 RBIs in a backup role.

Blue Jays head to Tampa Bay

Toronto fell to 16-18 after the 4-3 loss, and the catching picture will carry into Monday’s three-game set against the Rays in Tampa Bay. Valenzuela’s appearance in the sixth showed Schneider is willing to make a midgame switch when Heineman’s bat stalls, even with Kirk still out.