Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk exits vs. Orioles with left elbow contusion

The Toronto Blue Jays removed catcher Alejandro Kirk from Tuesday’s game against the Baltimore Orioles after he was hit by a pitch.

The team announced he was removed due to a left elbow contusion.

Orioles starter Corbin Burnes hit Kirk on the left arm with a 98 m.p.h. fastball during the top of the sixth inning. Kirk appeared to be in pain as he walked to first base and was looked over by Blue Jays head athletic trainer Jose Ministral and manager John Schneider.

Although Kirk remained on base, he did not return for the bottom of the inning as Brian Serven took the field at catcher.

Kirk helped the Blue Jays score their first run of the game with a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning to bring home Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

The 25-year-old has been swinging a hot bat entering Tuesday with a .333 batting average and 20 hits over his last 16 games.