The Blue Jays might have bigger plans for Nathan Lukes than most expect heading into the 2025 season
Photo credit: Blue Jays Insider
Toronto Blue Jays minor league veteran Nathan Lukes had an impressive season in 2024 and with Daulton Varsho coming back from surgery, he might have a pot on the opening day roster.
Lukes started off the 2024 in Triple-A putting up great numbers at the plated with a .320/.385/.464 slash line and was due to return to the majors before a thumb injury in June put him on IL until August.
From there, Lukes would continue his hot spring start into the regular season, posting a .320/.385/.464 slash line through the end of May. He was knocking on a return to the big leagues as June rolled around but an injury to his thumb saw him hit the 60-day IL, putting him on the shelf for most of the month, all of July, and the early part of August. -Shushkewich
The 30 year old outfielder final got called up to Toronto in late August and made an impact right away with 5 hits in his first three games against the Minnesota Twins.
Lukes eventually made his way to Toronto on August 30th and immediately impacted the series against Minnesota. He collected five hits through the three-game series - highlighted by a four-hit performance on the Saturday contest that saw him just a home run shy of the cycle with two RBIs kicked in. -Shushkewich
If it was not for Lukes injury, he would have likely seen more time in the majors this season but it unfortunately did not work out that way.
Headed into 2025, it will not be easy for Lukes to crack the Blue Jays opening day roster with the arrival of Joey Loperfido and Jonatan Clase at the trade deadline but it looks like there is still a possibility. Since Daulton Varsho just had surgery on his shoulder, there is a solid chance he will not be ready for Opening Day which gives Lukes a potential spot.
It will be a tough road again for Lukes given the increased depth the Jays acquired this summer in the outfield in Joey Loperfido and Jonatan Clase, not to forget Alan Roden who is looking to make an impact with the big league squad next year as well. The one wrinkle is that Daulton Varsho could be delayed to start the year after undergoing surgery on his shoulder this offseason, which could open a door for the likes of Lukes or Clase to squeeze into the roster should Varsho not be ready to go for Opening Day. -Shushkewich
Source: Blue Jays Nation
Blue Jays 2024 Player Review: Nathan Lukes impressed amidst a short stint in the Majors
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