Blue Jays Make Unfortunate Announcement During Loss to Tigers

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | Last updated May 16, 2025 11:12 PM ET

The Toronto Blue Jays entered Friday's series opener against the Detroit Tigers looking to get back in the win column. Dropping Thursday's contest against the Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto fell one game below .500 at 21-22. Unable to pull back even, the Blue Jays made it consecutive losses with a 5-4 defeat against the AL Central leaders.

Toronto did not get a great outing from starting pitcher Bowden Francis. The right-hander went just 4.1 innings, surrendering eight hits and four earned runs. On offense, both Bo Bichette and Daulton Varsho homered, but it was not enough, especially amid an unfortunate announcement Toronto made mid-game.

One of the Blue Jays' more productive offensive players this season has been left-handed hitting outfielder Nathan Lukes. The 2015 seventh round pick entered Friday with a 130 OPS+ that has provided Toronto with some much-needed outfield production.

During Friday's game, the Blue Jays announced Lukes was removed due to a migraine.

UPDATE: OF Nathan Lukes was removed from tonight's game with a migraine.
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) May 17, 2025

Lukes was 0-for-2 at the time of his removal, and was replaced by veteran outfielder Myles Straw. It is unclear if this is an issue that will cost Lukes multiple games, or if he will be able to have the migraine subside by Saturday's afternoon contest against Detroit.

The Blue Jays, now 22-24, have been battling for positioning in the AL East all season. They entered Friday four games back of the first place New York Yankees, and will lose ground with New York winning.

Toronto certainly hopes Lukes' bat can get back in the lineup soon.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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