As per Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi, the Toronto Blue Jays are reportedly set to call up outfielder Nathan Lukes from triple-A Buffalo, with the 29-year-old set to join the Jays squad for their upcoming road trip beginning tomorrow in Washington. There has been no confirmed corresponding transaction at this time.
In Buffalo, Lukes has put forward a .284/.348/.432 slash line with three home runs and 13 RBIs through 20 games. He has 23 hits on the season and three doubles to accompany his homer total while owning a .328 BABip and a .352 wOBA in triple-A. Lukes has seven walks on the year compared to 17 strikeouts and bats from the left side.
The Oregon product made his MLB debut with the Blue Jays last season, as the former Tampa Bay Rays prospect cracked the Jays Opening Day roster and was used sparingly off the bench to begin the year before riding the options bus the rest of the campaign.
Blue Jays set to call up Nathan Lukes for weekend series in Washington
In the Major Leagues, Lukes posted a .598 OPS with five hits through 26 at-bats (.192), collecting one double and one triple with two RBIs on his record. He also posted a strong Spring Training line earlier this year, collecting 18 hits to the tune of a .450 average and a 1.100 OPS with four doubles and one triple. He was one of the last cuts this spring.
Defensively, he has suited up in each area of the outfield with the Bisons this year but has spent most of the time in the corner outfield spots. He owns a clean 1.000 fielding percentage with two outfield assists.
Hearing that OF Nathan Lukes is headed to Washington to meet the Blue Jays.
He had a strong spring training but was the odd man out at end of camp. Batted .284/.348/.432 in 20 games with Buffalo.
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) May 2, 2024
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While there has been no corresponding move yet, barring an unexpected injury, the most likely candidates are Addison Barger or Daniel Vogelbach being the roster player to be removed. Barger would return to triple-A should he be the odd man out while Vogelbach would have to be DFA’d as the former Mets and Mariners slugger is out of minor-league options.
The 24-year-old Jays prospect has just one hit through 18 at-bats while Vogelbach has posted a .136/.296/.227 slash line while working sparingly off the bench through the first month of the season.