What to know about Blue Jays catcher Brandon Valenzuela with Alejandro Kirk out injured originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Toronto Blue Jays catcher Brandon Valenzuela makes his MLB debut on Easter Sunday.It's a special opportunity for him, brought about by the injury that put Alejandro Kirk onto the IL.Valenzuela was called up from Triple-A Buffalo to join Tyler Heineman, and now he's getting a chance.Who is Brandon Valenzuela?Valenzuela is a 25-year old catcher for the Blue Jays.He's got something in common with the regular starter Kirk: Both are from Mexico.MORE:Jo Adell robbed 3 home runs in the same gameBrandon Valenzuela tradeValenzuela came to the Blue Jays from the San Diego Padres on July 31, 2025.Toronto traded Will Wagner to the Padres in exchange for Valenzuela.He made 26 appearances for Triple-A Buffalo after the deal and hit .207 with three home runs.Is Brandon Valenzuela related to Fernando?There is no information out there to suggest that Brandon Valenzuela is related to the Dodgers' lefty legend.They are both from Mexico, which doesn't produce a ton of MLB players but has now brought along three guys named Valenzuela (also including Benny Valenzuela, who pitched in the 1950s).More MLB news:Explaining the absurdity of 2 MLB players named Max MuncyHe almost retired,but instead he hit his first grand slamMeet the unluckiest hitter in MLB so far this seasonGiants' Daniel Susac joins brother in cool MLB historyThis Red Sox pitcher traveled an impossible path to the major leaguesIs Liam Hicks actually good?