Blue Jays Announce Nathan Lukes Injury Update Before Guardians Game
The Toronto Blue Jays have had a decent start to the season with a 10-15 record, but it hasn't been pretty for the team, as they just lost 8-7 to the Cleveland Guardians. They will look to bounce back in the next game of the series. Even so, they are currently on a two-game losing streak.
Now they will have to play without outfielder Nathan Lukes. The 31-year-old was placed on the 10-day injured list today with a left calf strain he sustained during the Blue Jays' recent series against the Guardians. He suffered the injury while running out a double in the first inning of Friday's game against Cleveland (h/t Blue Jays X account).
Even before the setback, Lukes had been more of a depth outfielder for the Blue Jays, posting a .250 batting average, .286 on-base percentage, and a .613 OPS, with eight RBIs over 20 games this season.
Still, losing a player of Lukes' value to the team is a hard blow, as he is viewed as a versatile, consistent fourth outfielder for the Blue Jays. The team also had to make other moves, with outfielder Yohendrick Piñango selected to the major league roster and active for the game. Right-handed pitcher Yimi García was also transferred to the 60-day injured list, as he continues recovering from right elbow surgery he underwent in September 2025.
These moves come at a cost to the team, as two valued role players are now injured. Lukes' last season with the Blue Jays really showed his value to the outfield for the team. He posted a .255 batting average, a .286 on-base percentage, 12 home runs and 65 RBIs over 135 games. He is known for his high-contact hitting, solid plate discipline and defensive versatility.
ROSTER MOVES:
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) April 25, 2026
OF Yohendrick Piñango has been selected to the Major League roster and will be active for today's game
OF Nathan Lukes placed on 10-day IL (left hamstring strain)
RHP Yimi García transferred to the 60-day IL pic.twitter.com/vrcwgqPrHV
Luke has developed into a reliable outfielder in the major leagues. He was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the seventh round of the 2015 MLB June Amateur Draft out of California State University, Sacramento.
He was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in 2016 and played for various affiliates, including the Charlotte Stone Crabs, Montgomery Biscuits, and Durham Bulls. He signed a minor league contract with the Blue Jays in 2021 and played for the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons before being added to the MLB 40-man roster and making his debut in 2023.
He later signed a one-year, $808,500 contract with the Blue Jays, fully guaranteed. As a pre-arbitration player, he remains under team control through 2030.
Related: Braves Make Chris Sale Move After Roster News
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This story was originally published April 25, 2026 at 2:16 PM.