Blue Jays' Nathan Lukes: Productive in Monday's win
Rotowire
Lukes went 2-for-5 with two doubles, two runs scored and two RBI in Monday's win over the Twins.
After a sluggish start to August, Lukes is beginning to build some momentum again at the plate. Over the last seven games, the 31-year-old is batting .273 (6-for-22) with three doubles, a steal, three runs and four RBI. Lukes continues to hold down a strong-side platoon role while bouncing between the outfield corners, but the Blue Jays have options to replace him if his offense continues to face -- since the All-Star break, he's slashing just .214/.262/.419.
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Blue Jays' Nathan Lukes: On bench against lefty
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Lukes is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Cubs.
After starting and batting leadoff in each of the Blue Jays' last three games, the left-handed-hitting Lukes will head to the bench for the series finale while the Cubs send lefty Matthew Boyd to the bump. Toronto will roll out an outfield of Davis Schneider, Myles Straw and Joey Loperfido from left to right in Thursday's contest.
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Blue Jays' Nathan Lukes: Deposits 10th homer
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Lukes went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, a walk and an additional run scored in Tuesday's 10-4 win over the Rockies.
Lukes clubbed his 10th homer of the season to put the Blue Jays on the board in the third inning before the offense caught fire to secure a convincing win. The outfielder had been in a 3-for-25 slump over his previous seven games heading into the series, but he's bounced back by going 5-for-8 with three extra-base hits, two RBI and three walks across the first two games against the Rockies.
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Blue Jays' Nathan Lukes: On base five times in rout
Rotowire
Lukes went 3-for-4 with two walks, two doubles, three runs scored and an RBI in Monday's win over the Rockies.
Getting the start in right field and batting leadoff, Lukes set the table for a 15-1 rout by the Blue Jays. It was his first multi-hit performance since July 25, snapping a 4-for-31 skid, but even during that downturn three of his four hits left the yard. The 31-year-old has more than held his own this year while seeing regular action in the majors for the first time, slashing .258/.348/.410 over 285 plate appearances with nine homers, 39 runs and 44 RBI. However, with Daulton Varsho back patrolling center field, playing time will be a little harder to come by for Lukes once George Springer (concussion) is cleared to return as well.
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Blue Jays' Nathan Lukes: Swats pinch-hit homer
Rotowire
Lukes went 1-for-2 with a three-run home run in Wednesday's win over the Orioles.
The 31-year-old outfielder had the biggest hit of the afternoon, taking Yennier Cano deep in the seventh inning as he pinch hit for Leo Jimenez before staying in the game to play right field. Lukes has nine homers on the season, but four of them have come in the last eight contests, a stretch in which he's driven in nine runs. Despite his recent display of power, Lukes could get squeezed for playing time when Daulton Varsho (hamstring) comes off the IL this weekend.
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Blue Jays' Nathan Lukes: Resting Wednesday
Rotowire
Lukes is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Orioles.
Lukes had started each of the Blue Jays' last four games -- including both ends of Tuesday's doubleheader -- so he appears to be getting a routine rest day as Toronto and Baltimore wrap up their series with a matinee contest. Though he's been holding down a regular spot in the Toronto lineup against right-handed pitching since being activated from the 7-day injured list June 20, Lukes could have to vie with fellow left-handed-hitting outfielder Joey Loperfido for playing time once Daulton Varsho (hamstring) returns from the 10-day IL.
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Blue Jays' Nathan Lukes: Hits homer in win
Rotowire
Lukes went 2-for-5 with a double and a two-run home run during Thursday's 11-4 win over the Tigers.
Lukes snapped a four-game hitless stretch and an eight-game streak without an extra-base hit by hitting a double and a two-run home run Thursday. The 31-year-old has just eight doubles and six home runs in 204 at-bats this year, contributing to a slash line of .265/.355/.392.
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Blue Jays' Nathan Lukes: Back on bench
Rotowire
Lukes is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Angels.
With lefty Tyler Anderson on the hill for the Angels, Lukes will head to the bench after three straight starts, opening up center field for Myles Straw. Lukes and Straw will continue to platoon in center until Daulton Varsho (hamstring) is ready to return from the injured list.
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Blue Jays' Nathan Lukes: Three hits to help complete sweep
Rotowire
Lukes went 3-for-5 with two doubles, two runs scored and two RBI in Thursday's win over the Yankees.
Getting the start in center field and batting leadoff with Bo Bichette (knee) not quite ready to return, Lukes provided a spark in an 8-5 victory that completed a four-game sweep of the Yankees and launched the Blue Jays into first place in the AL East. The 30-year-old outfielder has been fairly productive since returning from a concussion June 20, batting .286 (10-for-35) in his last 12 games with two doubles, five runs, seven RBI and a 6:4 BB:K. However, Lukes' playing time will likely take a hit once Daulton Varsho (hamstring) is ready to come off the IL, which could happen before the All-Star break.
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Blue Jays' Nathan Lukes: Back from IL
Rotowire
The Blue Jays activated Lukes (concussion) from the 7-day injured list Friday.
Lukes exited the Blue Jays' win over the Cardinals on June 9 with the injury. With Anthony Santander (shoulder) and Daulton Varsho (hamstring) still out for Toronto, Lukes will vie for playing time in the outfield alongside Addison Barger and George Springer. Lukes is slashing .267/.360/.392 with four home runs, 21 RBI, 19 runs scored and one stolen base across 143 plate appearances this season.
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Blue Jays' Nathan Lukes: Set for rehab assignment
Rotowire
Lukes (concussion) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Lukes landed on the 7-day injured list last week, but his concussion symptoms appear to have dissipated. He's slated to play at least a couple games with Buffalo, but a return from the IL for the Blue Jays' series this weekend against the White Sox is possible.
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Blue Jays' Nathan Lukes: Placed on concussion IL
Rotowire
The Blue Jays placed Lukes on the 7-day injured list Wednesday due to a concussion.
Lukes was a late scratch from the lineup ahead of Tuesday's win over the Cardinals with what was described as neck discomfort at the time, but subsequent testing has determined that he is dealing with a concussion. He'll be eligible for activation June 17, but as is the case with all players recovering from concussions, the return timeline can be volatile.
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Blue Jays' Nathan Lukes: Remains on bench Wednesday
Rotowire
Lukes (neck) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cardinals.
Lukes was scratched from the starting nine ahead of Tuesday's 10-9 win due to neck discomfort, and he'll remain on the bench for the series finale. The Blue Jays haven't indicated whether the left-handed-hitting Lukes' absence has more to do with the neck injury, or because the Cardinals are sending a left-hander (Matthew Liberatore) to the hill. Regardless, Toronto will roll out an outfield of Jonatan Clase, Myles Straw and George Springer from left to right Wednesday.
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Blue Jays' Nathan Lukes: Scratched with neck injury
Rotowire
Lukes was scratched from the lineup ahead of Tuesday's game against the Cardinals due to neck discomfort.
The severity of Lukes' injury remains unknown, though it will force him out of at least Tuesday's game. While he sits, Jonatan Clase, Myles Straw and Alan Roden will start across Toronto's outfield.
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Blue Jays' Nathan Lukes: Taking seat Sunday
Rotowire
Lukes is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Athletics.
Though he'll hit the bench against southpaw JP Sears, Lukes should continue to have a clear path to playing time after Daulton Varsho (hamstring) joined Anthony Santander (shoulder) on the injured list Sunday. Lukes has been seeing most of his playing time in the outfield corners of late, but manager John Schneider suggested that he could end up filling the strong side of a platoon in center field with Myles Straw while Varsho is on the shelf, per Keegan Matheson of MLB.com.
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Blue Jays' Nathan Lukes: Absent from starting lineup
Rotowire
Lukes is not in the Blue Jays' starting lineup against the Rangers on Tuesday.
Lukes will begin Tuesday's contest in the dugout while George Springer, Daulton Varsho and Anthony Santander start in the outfield for the Blue Jays. Lukes has slashed .273/.385/.455 with three home runs and nine RBI in 67 plate appearances since the beginning of May.
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Blue Jays' Nathan Lukes: Smacks late homer
Rotowire
Lukes went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Thursday's 8-3 loss to the Rays.
Lukes went yard in the eighth inning, but the Blue Jays weren't able to make a comeback push out of it. He has been steady at the plate in May, going 10-for-30 with two homers and eight RBI over 11 contests this month. Lukes is up to a .273/.372/.439 slash line with three homers, 13 RBI, 14 runs scored and no stolen bases over 79 plate appearances. He doesn't have a defined position but has managed to sustain decent playing time as a fourth outfielder. Lukes has primarily been in competition with Jonatan Clase and Myles Straw over the last week.
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Blue Jays' Nathan Lukes: Sitting after five straight starts
Rotowire
Lukes is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rays.
Lukes will hit the bench after he had picked up starts in the corner outfield in each of the Blue Jays' previous five games while going 5-for-18 with a home run and two walks. He'll be replaced in left field by Jonatan Clase, but Lukes may have the upper hand on a regular lineup spot until Andres Gimenez's (quadricep) eventual return from the injured list takes an everyday role off the table.
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Blue Jays' Nathan Lukes: Gaining traction in lineup
Rotowire
Lukes will start in right field and bat sixth in Sunday's game against the Mariners.
Lukes will pick up his fourth straight start in the outfield and seems to be the primary beneficiary of second baseman Andres Gimenez's (quadriceps) recent move to the injured list. Since Gimenez landed on the IL, Ernie Clement has taken over as the Blue Jays' primary second baseman, and Addison Barger has moved to third base to open up a spot in the outfield for Lukes.
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Blue Jays' Nathan Lukes: Clubs homer in win
Rotowire
Lukes went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Friday's 6-3 win over the Mariners.
Lukes is 6-for-18 (.333) with six RBI and two extra-base hits over seven games in May. The outfielder is sporting a .259/.359/.407 slash line with two homers, 11 RBI, 11 runs scored, two doubles and no stolen bases over 65 plate appearances. He has primarily served in a strong-side platoon role, functioning as a fourth outfielder whenever one of Toronto's regulars needs to get some rest from defensive duties.
