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Blue Jays’ Addison Barger set to begin rehab assignment Sunday, Alejandro Kirk and Nathan Lukes progressing from injuries
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Photo credit: © John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Michael Coyle
Apr 30, 2026, 19:20 EDT
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The Toronto Blue Jays are slowly starting to get healthy. 
After an injury-riddled Spring Training and opening month of the regular season, the Blue Jays are starting to get some good news on the health front. 
On Thursday, before taking on the Minnesota Twins, the Blue Jays announced that outfielder Addison Barger is set to run the bases tomorrow before joining Single-A Dunedin to begin his rehab assignment on Sunday. 
According to Blue Jays manager John Schneider, the timeline could be two to three games for Barger, depending on how the 26-year-old feels. The Blue Jays appear to be targeting a return for Barger following their seven-game road trip through Minnesota and Tampa Bay, when they open a six-game homestand on April 8 against the Los Angeles Angels. 
Barger was originally injured on Sunday, April 5, during a 3-0 loss against the Chicago White Sox after landing awkwardly on first base while trying to beat out a ground ball in the top of the third inning. Barger remained in the game for the time being, taking one more at-bat in the top of the sixth inning before being removed in the bottom half of that frame, and replaced by Jesús Sánchez. 
Barger was placed on the 10-day injured list two days later with a left ankle sprain. In Barger’s absence, the Blue Jays have posted a record of 10-11, staying afloat in the crowded American League to this point. 
Through eight games this season, Barger is batting .053 with two RBIs over his first 19 at-bats. The Blue Jays are hoping Barger’s return can bring more power to a lineup that has hit only 25 home runs through 30 games, ranking 25th in the MLB. 
Last year, Barger broke out in a big way, batting .243 with 21 home runs and 74 RBIs, trailing only George Springer and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in long balls. Barger took his game to another level in the postseason, batting .367 with three home runs and nine RBIs, including a grand slam off Anthony Banda during Game 1 of the World Series. 

More injury updates

The Blue Jays also announced that catcher Alejandro Kirk has started throwing in Dunedin for the first time since being diagnosed with a fractured left thumb. Kirk underwent surgery on his left thumb after a foul tip in Chicago caught the Blue Jays’ catcher’s hand.
Kirk was injured on Friday, April 3, during a 5-4 loss, and likely remains out until June. At the time of the update, Kirk had yet to begin hitting or catching, but he remains on schedule. Through five games this year, Kirk is batting .150 with one home run and two RBIs.
Nathan Lukes has left the club to head to the Blue Jays’ Player Development Complex in Dunedin to begin his progression. Lukes suffered a strained left hamstring on Friday, April 24 during an 8-6 loss against the Cleveland Guardians, when he opened the game with a double to right field but was forced to leave after a visit from Schneider and Jose Ministral. 
Through 20 games this season, Lukes is batting .250 with eight RBIs. After a slow start to the season, the 31-year-old was really starting to find his stride before the injury, going 11-for-21 in his seven games with six RBIs. 

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