Blue Jays Announce Nathan Lukes News After Leaving Mariners Game

During the bottom of the first inning of Game 1, Lukes was slotted into the second spot in the batting order as a left-handed hitter against Mariners right-handed starting pitcher Bryce Miller. Lukes fouled a ball off his right knee, yet stayed in the game, finished the at-bat and earned a 12-pitch walk.

Lukes took another at-bat in the third inning, flying out to center field, yet he was removed from the game in the top half of the fourth inning, replaced by teammate Myles Straw. The Toronto Blue Jays announced an update on Lukes’ status moments later. “UPDATE: OF Nathan Lukes was removed from tonight's game with a right knee contusion and is undergoing further evaluation,” the team wrote on X.

Lukes’ status will continue to be monitored as the ALCS unfolds. If the knee contusion and discomfort persist, Toronto will have the option to replace him on the roster. However, doing so would make Lukes ineligible for the remainder of the postseason, including the World Series.

Lukes was having a productive first postseason with the Blue Jays and delivered a key hit in Game 4 of the ALDS to solidify Toronto’s lead and help them advance past the New York Yankees.