Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Nathan Lukes has a tangible reason behind his .094 batting average to begin the season. For now, however, he won’t get any time off to remedy it.

According to Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet, Lukes has been experiencing intermittent dizziness and nausea since spring training. He was recently diagnosed with vertigo.

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The Blue Jays’ medical staff cleared Lukes to continue playing after his diagnosis, according to Zwelling, “and their coaching staff trusted him to battle through it.”

Nathan Lukes, 3-for-32 to begin the season, has been experiencing intermittent dizziness and nausea since spring training. He was recently diagnosed with vertigo.

Blue Jays medical staff cleared Lukes to continue playing and coaching staff trusted him to battle through it.

— Arden Zwelling (@ArdenZwelling) April 18, 2026

The battle is not going well.

Lukes’ pinch-hit single April 17 in Arizona was only his third hit of the season. The Jays don’t have much leeway to give any of their major league outfielders time off.

Addison Barger (sprained ankle), George Springer (fractured toe) and Anthony Santander (shoulder labrum surgery) are all on the injured list. That’s an entire outfield on the shelf.

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Lukes was somewhat of a revelation in 2025, his first full season starting at the MLB level at the relatively late age of 30. He slashed .255/.323/.407 with 12 home runs and 65 RBIs in 135 games.

In the postseason, Lukes hit .333 in the Jays’ four-game AL Wild Card Series victory over the New York Yankees. He hit .333 again in a seven-game AL Championship Series win over the Seattle Mariners, lifting Toronto to the World Series for the first time since 1993.

Lukes debuted with the Blue Jays as a 28-year-old in 2023, two years after he signed a minor league contract with the Blue Jays as a free agent.

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Lukes played sparingly in 2023 and 2024, totaling only 51 games at the MLB level prior to his 2025 breakthrough.

Not only are the Jays sticking with Lukes amid his .094 average amid his health issues, manager John Schneider is batting him in the leadoff spot and starting him right field April 18 in Phoenix.

A trip to the injured list would certainly be understandable for a player in Lukes’ position — if not overdue. For now, he’ll try to play through it.