Nathan

Lukes

Lukes put Toronto’s only run on the board with a solo homer off Xzavion Curry in the first inning. It was the first career home run for the 30-year-old outfielder. The career minor-leaguer has hit .303/.371/.447 with 13 runs scored and ten RBI across 91 plate appearances for the Blue Jays this season.

The Jays are taking a look at Nathan Lukes in the outfield, leaving no room in left for Schneider of late. Schneider started seven straight games from Sept. 14-21, including four games in left, but he’s played just once, that at second base, this week.

Lukes hit his stride late in this game with doubles in the sixth and eighth innings. His second one vaulted the Blue Jays one inning after Lars Nootbaar tied the game with a homer. Lukes – like a lot of these young, upstart Blue Jays hitters – has found success late this season by peppering tons of balls in play. It’s only been 47 plate appearances, but he has a beautiful .357 batting average as a part-time player who’s now started four straight games at the top of the order.

Loperfido left Saturday’s game with adductor soreness, so it’s not a surprise to see the 25-year-old out of action a day later. With Daulton Varsho also out, Nathan Lukes is starting in center and hitting leadoff against St. Louis

Lukes scored the Jays’ only run and was their only batter to reach base twice on a tough night against Max Fried. This was Lukes first start in nearly a week despite notching four hits out of the lead-off spot last Saturday.

Loperfido passed his concussion tests after crashing into the outfield wall on Thursday, but has been held out of two straight games now out of an abundance of caution. Daulton Varsho will cover center field on Saturday night while Nathan Lukes will start in left field and bat eighth against Zebby Matthews and the Twins.

Lukes, 30, has done a nice job at the Triple-A level this season, hitting .333/.403/.469 with seven homers, 31 RBI and four stolen bases in 231 plate appearances. He’ll add outfield depth for the Jays at the big-league level. Steward Berroa was optioned back to Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move.

Lukes is being sent down to make room for Kevin Kiermaier with Kiermaier coming off the injured list before Saturday’s game. Lukes will likely be back as a bench option before the end of the year, but it’s unlikely he’ll ever procure a regular role.

Lukes had a strong spring training with the Blue Jays going 18-for-40 (.450 AVG) and will get his opportunity with Toronto at the major league level. He’s slashed .284/.348/.432 with three homers and 13 RBI with Buffalo this season.

Lukes made a strong case for inclusion on the team’s Opening Day roster — hitting .450 (18-for-40) with eight runs scored, six RBI and a pair of stolen bases in Grapefruit League action — but he wound up falling just short. He’ll instead begin the 2024 campaign at Triple-A Buffalo, just one small step away from the big leagues.