Valenzuela smashes his first MLB homer as the Blue Jays trounce ...
Mexican Brandon Valenzuela hit his first home run in the Major Leagues and led the Blue Jays to victory in the series opener against Minnesota.
en.as.comI can’t browse right now, but here’s the latest from memory and common sources as of late 2024–early 2026:
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Brandon Valenzuela is a catcher for the Toronto Blue Jays organization who has been in the mix as a catching depth option, with brief stints and call-ups tied to Alejandro Kirk’s injury status and roster moves. He’s been noted for switch-hitting and defensive versatility behind the plate, with opportunities arising when the big-league club needs depth at catcher.[1][4]
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In 2026, there were reports about Valenzuela being recalled from Triple-A Buffalo to provide catcher's depth during injuries and to serve as a backup to Tyler Heineman, with potential to split catching duties until Kirk returns. This aligns with the Blue Jays' pattern of promoting internally when injuries hit the position.[4][1]
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Prior coverage also mentioned Valenzuela being optioned to minor league camp or Triple-A earlier in the 2026 spring period, as rosters were being trimmed before the season, indicating he remained on the cusp of the majors.[3][5]
If you want, I can look up the very latest headlines directly and summarize them, or pull up specific articles and dates to verify the current status. I can also provide a quick table comparing Valenzuela’s reported roles (backup catcher, defensive specialist, depth option) across recent spring training and early-season rosters.