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Blue Jays option Easton Lucas and recall Josh Walker
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Photo credit: © Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
Apr 21, 2025, 16:45 EDTUpdated: Apr 21, 2025, 16:43 EDT
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The Easton Lucas era is over… for now.
On Monday afternoon, the Toronto Blue Jays optioned left-handed pitcher Easton Lucas to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, calling up left-handed reliever Josh Walker in his place.
Lucas, who was called up to replace Max Scherzer in the rotation, had a great start to his season. In his first game, he fired five scoreless innings of one-hit ball against the Washington Nationals. That was followed up by five and one-third innings against the Boston Red Sox, where he struck out eight and didn’t allow a run.
His third start came off the rails, though, as he pitched five innings, giving up eight runs with three home runs. His most recent start on Sunday, Lucas only got through an inning and two-thirds before he was yanked from the game.
Thanks to how the off-days are set up, the Jays don’t need a starter in Lucas’ spot for the time being, not until May 3rd against the Cleveland Guardians. If they do need a starter, Paxton Schultz is a potential candidate, as he has experience starting in the minor leagues before mainly becoming a reliever with the Bisons last season.  He also pitched four and one-third innings in Sunday’s game.
Of course, there’s also potential that Scherzer will be ready by then, but time will tell. Another candidate to fill the spot is Jake Bloss, but he’s had a tough start to his 2025 season.
As for Walker, the Jays signed him to a major league deal in the off-season. The 30-year-old lefty was drafted by the New York Mets, making his debut with the team in 2023, where he had an 8.10 ERA and a 5.26 FIP in 10 innings pitched. Last season went better for him, as Walker had a 5.11 ERA and a 3.90 FIP in 12.1 innings pitched.
So far this season with the Bisons, Walker has a 2.57 ERA and a 2.31 FIP in seven innings pitched, along with a 32.3 K% and a 12.9 BB%. He’s always put up good results in the minor leagues, but the question is if he’ll be able to do the same in Major League Baseball.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. They can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

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