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Blue Jays’ Nathan Lukes appears in final game with Dunedin, decision on next step coming Monday
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Photo credit: © William Liang-Imagn Images
Michael Coyle
May 24, 2026, 16:30 EDTUpdated: May 24, 2026, 16:15 EDT
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Toronto Blue Jays’ outfielder Nathan Lukes wrapped up his final game with the Dunedin Blue Jays on Sunday as he’s getting closer to returning to the Blue Jays’ 26-man roster. 
In Sunday’s contest, Lukes served as the designated hitter and went 0-for-2 with one strikeout before being lifted for a pinch-hitter to open the bottom of the sixth inning. In his first at-bat, Lukes was retired via the punchout, putting up a seven-pitch battle after falling behind 0-2 in the count.  In Lukes’ second plate appearance, he flew out to center field. 
Lukes has made four appearances with Dunedin over the past week, and went 3-for-7 with one home run, three RBIs and three walks. The 31-year-old started games at both the designated hitter spot and right field as he worked his way back from a left hamstring strain suffered on April 24 in a 8-6 loss against the Cleveland Guardians. 
Speaking on Friday night, prior to the series opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Blue Jays manager John Schneider stated that Lukes would return to Toronto on Monday night before deciding whether he is ready to return to the active roster. If the Blue Jays deem that Lukes requires a few more rehab games, he will join Triple-A Buffalo before being activated off the 15-day injured list. 
For the season, Lukes is batting .250 with eight RBIs and a .286 on-base percentage. After getting off to a slow start and dealing with a case of vertigo, Lukes really began to heat up before being injured. In his last seven games, Lukes was batting .524 with six RBIs, going 11-for-21 and looking much more like the player from a year ago. 
Last season, Lukes broke out, batting .255 with 12 home runs and 65 RBIs, often coming through with hits in key situations. Lukes strung together a solid postseason for the Blue Jays, batting .274 with a .328 on-base percentage, and drove in eight runs. 
The return of Lukes, which could come as early as Monday, will force the Blue Jays into a tough roster decision, likely requiring one of Davis Schneider or Lenyn Sosa to be removed from the active roster. Schneider has options remaining while Sosa does not, but both players have struggled for much of 2026. 
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