Overview
- Manager John Schneider said surgeons placed a screw in Kirk’s fractured left thumb and set an estimate of about six weeks for his return.
- Kirk was hurt by a foul tip in a loss to the White Sox, then went on the 10-day injured list after a specialist recommended surgery.
- Heineman and Valenzuela will share the catching job while Kirk recovers.
- Heineman’s first games after the injury included a throwing error that let in a tying run, plus a baserunning mistake and another errant throw that cost two more.
- The team expects to wait until Kirk can catch full time before activating him because George Springer is already serving as the everyday designated hitter.