Blue Jays Lose Danny Jansen For Regular Season

Jansen had surgery that will keep him out for the rest of the regular season, fixing a fracture in his right middle finger.

John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Blue Jays will be without Danny Jansen for the rest of the regular season.

The backstop underwent surgery earlier this week, having a pin placed in his right middle finger just above the knuckle. The recovery will keep him out for at least the rest of the regular season, though the Jays haven't ruled out an October return.

"You feel for him," manager John Schneider said. "You know, he's a big part of our team. Guys respect him, he's kind of a very quiet leader amongst the whole group."

The injury happened on Jansen's 10th hit-by-pitch of the season, more than doubling a career-high in HBPs. He was a "magnet" Schneider said, both at the plate and when catching.

For the second year in a row, Jansen will finish the season as one of Toronto's most productive players on a per-plate-appearance rate. But, injuries have prevented him from racking up significant playing time once again. His 86 games in 2023 are the second-most he's ever played in his six-year career.

"He was definitely heartbroken," Bo Bichette said. "He's one of the leaders of this team. He brings it every day, he prepares, really takes charge of the pitching staff. So yeah, it's tough. But I know he'll be back soon and he'll be a big cheerleader out here."

With Jansen out for the rest of the regular season, Toronto's catching duties will fall to Alejandro Kirk and Tyler Heineman. Kirk has had a bit of a resurgence at the plate in recent days, pushing his season OPS (.698) closer to league average. The Jays are expected to lean heavily on him as the primary backstop for the rest of the year.