TORONTO – Three innings after taking a foul ball off his right knee in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series, Blue Jays right fielder Nathan Lukes exited in the top of the fourth inning on Sunday night in Toronto's 3-1 loss. Lukes was back in the lineup for Monday's Game 2, starting in right and batting second.
As part of his 12-pitch plate appearance in the bottom of the first inning against Mariners starter Bryce Miller, Lukes fouled off a fastball that hit directly on his right knee, causing him to fall down and receive a lengthy visit from Blue Jays athletic trainer Jose Ministral and manager John Schneider.
Lukes eventually stayed in the game, fouling off another fastball before taking the 12th pitch and drawing a walk. The Blue Jays weren’t able to capitalize further after George Springer’s leadoff home run, with Lukes only advancing to second base on Addison Barger’s walk in the first inning.
“He’s doing all right,” said Schneider. “He had X-rays. He had a CT scan, negative for a fracture. He was pretty sore, obviously, because Nate’s one of those guys who doesn’t want to come out of a game ever. If he’s medically good to play tomorrow, he’ll be in there. There’s no fracture, but that was one hell of an at-bat, before and after fouling that ball off his knee.”
Lukes fought to stay in after the inning, even taking his at-bat in the third, flying out to left field. But Lukes didn’t run out to the outfield for the top of the fourth, with Myles Straw taking over in right.
Lukes has evolved into a near-everyday player for the Blue Jays, one of the best stories in their clubhouse as a career Minor Leaguer who just never stopped developing and making the most of his opportunities. This season, Lukes appeared in 135 games, batting .255 with 12 home runs and a .730 OPS, playing some solid defense with a strong throwing arm from the corners. He’s officially become more than just a depth piece for this organization.
If the Blue Jays feel they need to make a roster move, though, Joey Loperfido feels like the likeliest replacement. The 26-year-old didn’t play much down the stretch, but he hit .333 with an .879 OPS over 41 games in the big leagues this season and has gotten awfully accustomed to coming off the bench after long spells without playing.
Bo Bichette is still an option, of course, but it’s still highly unlikely that the Blue Jays would force that decision now, even if it gave them a shot at playing Bichette later in the series. Just Sunday morning prior to Game 1, Toronto decided to leave Bichette off the ALCS roster after he appeared to be in obvious discomfort running the bases. Bichette has been fighting to return from a left knee sprain, but at this point, it still feels like a potential World Series is his last chance.