NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 07: John Schneider manager of the Toronto Blue Jays looks on from the dugout before the game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on April 07, 2024 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)

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The Toronto Blue Jays have struggled to recapture the momentum they enjoyed during a Cinderella run all the way to extra innings of Game 7 in the World Series last year.

After emerging as the best team in the American League, the Blue Jays fell just short to the Los Angeles Dodgers and added a variety of win-now veterans to the roster in what seemed to be a marked improvement. But, surprisingly enough, the Blue Jays have posted a losing record so far this year.

“Most recently, an offence that has been benign far too often this season was particularly meek under the bright new roof of the Trop,” Rob Langley wrote for the Toronto Sun after the team was swept by the Tampa Bay Rays in a series this week. “Facing the stellar Rays pitching, Toronto hitters managed just four runs in three games.”

The Blue Jays’ biggest problem does appear to be the offense, which is a stark reversal from last year’s success. And while fans won’t tolerate too many excuses, it would be fair to point out that the lineup is suffering from some significant injuries, including a fractured thumb that has sidelined reigning All-Star catcher Alejandro Kirk.

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In Kirk’s absence, the team’s substitute catchers, Tyler Heineman and Brandon Valenzuela, have showcased some problems, with Valenzuela struggling against the Rays in particular.

“Saying it has not been a good week for the Toronto backstops is an understatement,” Langley added. “In Florida, it was young Brandon Valenzuela who showed his greenness by burning both ABS challenges far too early and later in the game getting thrown out at second with an inexcusable blunder on the basepaths.”

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And as Valenzuela makes his on-field case to serve as the primary backup for Kirk when he returns, manager John Schneider issued a warning to the young backstop about where he needs to improve.

“To be an established major-league catcher, you’ve got to understand game plans,” Schneider said, according to the Toronto Star’s Mike Wilner. “You’ve got to understand where you’re setting up and you’ve got to understand game situations. That’s the last box to check off. Going back the last couple of years, I talked about the same things with Kirk. The quicker (Valenzuela) can continue to develop that is going to be good for him, but he’s got some pretty elite defensive skills.”

That warning suggested that Valenzuela will be heading back to Triple-A whenever Kirk returns to the lineup, with Heineman serving as the team’s big-league backup. But sooner or later, Valenzuela will be returning to the majors, especially if he can convince the team he’s taken a step up in his game planning and pitcher management.