Kevin Kiermaier comes to the r...

Toronto Blue Jays centre-fielder Kevin Kiermaier made a new friend prior to Wednesday’s series finale at Rogers Centre versus the Philadelphia Phillies.

The 33-year-old outfielder, battling the heat on a warm summer day, was on the field signing autographs during batting practice when he noticed a young child had fainted in the crowd. So he rushed over to make sure everything was OK.

According to CityNews Toronto’s Lindsay Dunn, Kiermaier altered the Rogers Centre’s staff and brought some water to the Blue Jays fan, ensuring he was looked after before departing.

Kiermaier, who signed a one-year deal worth $9 million with Toronto last off-season, has become an instant fan favorite in his inaugural campaign north of the border.

The left-hander is currently on the 10-day IL due to a right elbow laceration sustained while making a leaping catch up against the centre field wall at Fenway Park on Aug. 6, but says he expects to be activated ahead of Friday’s series opener in Cincinnati.

In 95 games this season, Kiermaier has hit five home runs, 27 RBIs and owns a .274/.336/.415 slash line across 299 plate appearances, worth 1.8 fWAR - surpassing last season’s rating (1.1) in 78 fewer PAs.

The three-time Gold Glove winner has been a huge difference-maker in the outfield, as he leads all major-league centre-fielders in Defensive Runs Saved (13) and sits tied for fifth in Outs Above Average (eight).

Kiermaier, joined by Daulton Varsho and George Springer, has helped dramatically transform Toronto’s outfielder defence this season, which leads the majors by a wide margin in DRS (37) and ranks second in OAA (15) behind the Milwaukee Brewers (20).

The long-time Tampa Bay Ray likely won’t be the only injured player returning to the Blue Jays’ active roster this weekend, as Bo Bichette and Trevor Richards are also slated to suit up against the Reds.