Blue Jays’ 26-man roster finally comes into focus with Lukes making team

Baseball

Published 28.03.2023

Blue Jays’ 26-man roster finally comes into focus with Lukes making team

DUNEDIN, Fla. — In a bid for extra velocity and defence within the outfield, the Blue Jays are going with 28-year-old rookie Nathan Lukes for the ultimate spot on their bench, supervisor John Schneider introduced earlier than Tuesday’s spring coaching finale in opposition to the Phillies.

Otto Lopez and Vinny Capra, the opposite contenders for the job, are actually slated to begin their seasons at triple-A Buffalo after being optioned and reassigned, respectively. Schneider additionally confirmed that Zach Pop made the Blue Jays as the ultimate reliever within the bullpen.

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In Lukes, the Blue Jays add a left-handed hitter with velocity and the flexibility to play all three outfield positions. A seventh-round choose of the Guardians in 2015, Lukes has but to make his MLB debut.

“We trust him in the outfield,” Schneider mentioned. “We trust him on the bases. Obviously, his at-bats have been great. But the way we’re built and constructed right now, it’ll be in a probably here-and-there role to start. But just excited that he’s got the chance at the major leagues.”

Over the course of 111 video games for the Buffalo Bisons final 12 months, Lukes hit .285/.364/.425 with 11 house runs, 25 doubles and 20 steals in 23 makes an attempt. He made most of his begins in centre discipline whereas additionally taking part in often within the corners.

As a member of the Blue Jays’ bench, he might be known as on to play defence late in video games or pinch run for the likes of Alejandro Kirk and Brandon Belt, Schneider mentioned. Yet chances are high, he received’t begin many video games over Daulton Varsho, Kevin Kiermaier and George Springer — no less than not instantly.

“We feel comfortable with him,” Schneider mentioned. “It’s not so much base stealing, but also scoring from first on the double or scoring from second on a hit. Things like that and giving K.K. and George a blow.”

As for Lopez, the Blue Jays have been impressed by his displaying this spring, even when he didn’t make the workforce.

“There was nothing more he could have done to break with us,” Schneider mentioned. “When we start this whole thing at the beginning of camp, I tell the guys it’s going to take contributions from everyone in the room. He’s going to be part of that at some point as well.”

The Blue Jays have till midday on March 30 to submit their roster to the commissioner’s workplace. When they do, right here’s the way it’ll look:

Catchers (2)

Danny Jansen (R)

Alejandro Kirk (R)

Infielders (5)

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (R)

Brandon Belt (L)

Santiago Espinal (R)

Bo Bichette (R)

Matt Chapman (R)

Outfielders (4)

George Springer (R)