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“I love this city,” he said in a conversation that can be heard on the Sept. 11 episode of “Deep Left Field,” the Star’s baseball podcast. “It means a lot that the organization trusts me and values me enough to bring me back for a second time.”

The utility player who has played every position but first base over his eight big-league seasons, winning a gold glove at third in 2020, never got a chance to say goodbye to his Jays teammates last year. He was on a rehab assignment in Buffalo, working his way back from a sprained knee, when he was dealt an hour before the deadline. He packed up his stuff and headed to Pittsburgh.

When the Pirates placed Kiner-Falefa on waivers less than two weeks ago, the Jays were quick to grab him, picking up the remainder of the two-year, $15-million (U.S.) contract they signed him to two winters ago. The timing of the claim made Kiner-Falefa playoff-eligible for the Jays.

“It made sense to bring in a guy who can do a lot of things for us,” Jays manager John Schneider said at the time, not knowing聽Bo Bichette was going to be sidelined with a sprained left knee a week later.

Now the addition of IKF, as he is known (though some around the team call him Izzy), looks even more prescient, since he’s now the top infield backup. Ernie Clement has moved to shortstop and Addison Barger to third base, with Joey Loperfido called up to take Barger’s place in the outfield. And when the Jays face a left-handed pitcher, Kiner-Falefa will almost certainly be in the starting lineup.

But feeling at home in Toronto? The Honolulu native has spent less time with the Jays than at any of his other big-league stops: Texas, the Yankees and Pittsburgh.

“Since my rookie year and my time in New York, I really thrived playing here, hitting at Rogers Centre, hitting on the turf,” Kiner-Falefa said. “I just love the city, I love the culture, I love the atmosphere, the energy the city brings. For me being brown as well, it helps a lot. It makes me feel comfortable. I feel like I’m right at home.

“It’s just a special place to be.”

That feeling translates onto the diamond, as well. Kiner-Falefa was having his best season before the Jays traded him last year, posting career highs in batting average (.292) and on-base percentage (.338), and a slugging percentage that was 50 points higher than his previous best. He hit seven home runs in 83 games with the Jays; his full-season career high is eight.

That trend continued in Tuesday’s thrilling come-from-behind victory over Houston, when Kiner-Falefa tied the game with a two-run single in the ninth inning.

“I visualized it walking up to the plate,” he said after the game. “I’m like, ‘I went to Pittsburgh for this hit right here.’ It all came full circle. I was just thankful for that opportunity first game back and I guess it really put a stamp on my time with the Blue Jays.”

He is a career .264 hitter, but that number jumps to .290 at the Rogers Centre.

“Everything happens for a reason. I’m back now, and that’s all that matters.”