Blue Jays release catcher Patrick Winkel amid Brandon Valenzuela's rise
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 29, 2026, 10:30 AM
Last updated Jul 29, 2026
The Toronto Blue Jays have released catcher Patrick Winkel from their Double-A affiliate, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. This move comes as Brandon Valenzuela has solidified his role as the primary backup to Alejandro Kirk following his offensive improvement. Valenzuela has shown notable progress this season, with a significant increase in his batting average and a reduced strikeout rate since changing his mechanics. With Valenzuela's emergence, the Blue Jays are reshaping their catching depth and may give him more opportunities in the lineup as the season progresses.
- •Toronto Blue Jays release catcher Patrick Winkel from Double-A affiliate.
- •Brandon Valenzuela has become the clear backup to Alejandro Kirk.
- •Valenzuela is hitting.265/.355/.470 since late April.
- •The Blue Jays are adjusting their catching depth to include Valenzuela.
- •Winkel's release indicates limited opportunities for catchers in the system.
- 10:30 AMYahoo Sports — Blue Jays Cut Ties With 26-Year-Old Backstop After Brandon Valenzuela Update
"The Toronto Blue Jays have released a catcher as they reshape their depth at the critical position.
Sources
External linksOriginal reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days
MLB•Sep 8, 2026, 5:19 AMA’s Walk Off Blue Jays 6-5
MLB•Sep 8, 2026, 4:51 AMRafael Devers Joins Barry Bonds, Jeff Kent in Rare Giants History During Cardinals Game
MLB•Sep 8, 2026, 4:44 AMYankees Place Trent Grisham On 10-Day Injured List - MLB Trade Rumors
MLB•Sep 8, 2026, 4:12 AMToronto Blue Jays Announce Anthony Santander News Before Athletics Game
MLB•Sep 8, 2026, 3:11 AMBlue Jays Bench Jesus Sanchez in A’s Series Opener After Another Fielding Error
MLB•Sep 8, 2026, 2:57 AMJesús Luzardo throws a 2-hit shutout, Phillies beat Braves 1-0