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If you like our content,choose Sports Illustrated as a preferred source on Google<\/a>.<\/p>\n The outfield has been a group which has been under a serious spotlight all winter long, and not for great reasons. While the Blue Jays did miss out on Kyle Tucker<\/a> who would have been a perfect fit<\/a>, the unit is starting to take<\/a> shape as things answer themselves<\/a>.<\/p>\n Unfortunately however, someone is going to be left out, and shockingly, Zachary Rotman of FanSided<\/a> thinks the ascending Nathan Lukes<\/a> is going to be the one who does not make it when it’s all said and done and decisions are made for Toronto.<\/p>\n Nathan Lukes Projected to Be Left Off Blue Jays Opening Day Roster Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Nathan Lukes | Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images<\/p>\n “Daulton Varsho and Addison Barger are set to occupy two of their three outfield spots, and there’s a good chance left field will be made up of a Jesus Sanchez and Davis Schneider platoon,” Rotman wrote. “The DH for Toronto is George Springer. With that being said, what would Lukes’ role be? As constructed, he’s the fourth-best left-handed-hitting outfielder on the Jays’ roster. This has nothing to do with Lukes, a quality player, but has everything to do with the Jays’ roster construction.”<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Rotman lays out a worthwhile case and named someone like Leo Jimenez<\/a> as a guy who could make more sense to be on the roster ultimately. He mentioned the possibility both of sending him back down by using his option — the more likely scenario — or even a potential trade for another position<\/a> of need.<\/p>\n Each would make sense, despite how much it would sting to not have a player<\/a> who just played a huge role on a team which nearly won a World Series<\/a>, Toronto just does not have as much of a need for Lukes as it did a year ago.<\/p>\n Lukes Had Breakout 2025 Season for Blue Jays Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Nathan Lukes | John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images<\/p>\n Stepping into a major role for the first time in his young MLB career, Lukes was a key piece for Toronto down the stretch and really throughout the regular season. In 135 games played, he had a bWAR of 2.0 aided by a slash line of .255\/.323\/.407 with 12 home runs and 65 RBI, collecting eight RBI in 17 games during the postseason as well.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n If the Blue Jays did want to trade him away, they likely could address a different area needing more depth, however the fact that Lukes has an option makes it much more intriguing to simply send him down and wait until he’s needed.<\/p>\n Should they decide not to deal him away, the 31-year-old is going to take at-bats for Toronto this season, it just comes down to how many. Lukes is someone worth monitoring throughout the spring, and unless he goes on a tear, it may be a minor surprise to see him make the Opening Day roster<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Nathan](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/db7b5418662d3dc9137ba2bb669d5a8e.jpeg\"\/)
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