The Toronto Blue Jays have placed outfielder Nathan Lukes on the 10-day injured list due to a left hamstring sprain, the team announced Saturday. The injury occurred during Friday night's game against the Cleveland Guardians at Rogers Centre.
Injury Details
Lukes, 31, was injured while sliding into second base in the first inning. He immediately grabbed his left leg and was helped off the field by trainers. The Blue Jays later confirmed the hamstring sprain and retroactively placed him on the injured list, making him eligible to return as early as May 4.
Impact on the Roster
To fill Lukes' spot on the active roster, the Blue Jays recalled outfielder Steward Berroa from Triple-A Buffalo. Berroa, 25, has appeared in 12 games for Toronto this season, batting .211 with one home run and three RBIs.
Lukes has been a valuable contributor for the Blue Jays in 2026, hitting .278 with four home runs and 18 RBIs in 35 games. His absence could impact the team's outfield depth, especially with George Springer currently serving as the designated hitter due to a minor quad issue.
Team Outlook
The Blue Jays entered Saturday's game with a 22-15 record, sitting second in the American League East. They will rely on a combination of Berroa, Daulton Varsho, and Kevin Kiermaier to handle outfield duties during Lukes' absence.
Manager John Schneider expressed confidence in the team's depth but acknowledged Lukes' contributions. 'It's tough to lose a guy who's been swinging the bat well and playing solid defense,' Schneider said. 'But we have capable guys ready to step up.'
The Blue Jays continue their series against the Guardians on Saturday afternoon, with right-hander Kevin Gausman scheduled to start.
