‘Manager’s decision’ to remove Heineman from game, says Blue Jays’ Schneider

John Schneider made a “manger’s decision” to remove veteran catcher Tyler Heineman early from the Toronto Blue Jays’ 4-3 loss to the Minnesota Twins on Sunday.

Heineman popped out to left field with the bases loaded to end the top of the sixth inning and was replaced by rookie catcher Brandon Valenzuela in the bottom half of the inning.

Schneider told reporters after the game that Heineman did not suffer an injury on the play.

Heineman, who has received significant playing time this season following an injury to starter Alejandro Kirk, called his at-bat “pretty trash,” and admitted his hasn’t been playing well as of late.

“That at-bat was pretty trash. I popped up on a pitch I should have drove. I’ve been pretty crappy the past 10 games or so,” explained Heineman. “He probably saw something he shouldn’t have saw or that I did wrong. He made a decision.”

The 34-year-old is hitting .176 with two RBIs and a .399 OPS this season over 21 games.

Kirk, who was named an All-Star for the second time in his career last season, broke his thumb against the Chicago White Sox on April 3 and remains sidelined.

Despite being removed, Heineman had high praise for Schneider after the game.

“I think it’s just the situation, everything that’s been going on. I just didn’t get it done,” said Heineman. “It’s the manager’s decision. I stick by it. He’s one of the best managers in the game and the best manager I’ve played for.

Heineman was solid last season in a backup role, hitting .289 with three homers and 20 RBIs.

With the loss, the Blue Jays fall to 16-18 on the season and open a three-game set against the Rays in Tampa Bay on Monday.