The Toronto Blue Jays welcomed back outfielder Nathan Lukes for Game 2 of the American League Championship Series against the Seattle Mariners. Lukes had to exit Game 1 early due to a bruised knee sustained from fouling a ball off his right leg during a long at-bat.
In the lineup for Game 2, Lukes was slated to bat second and play right field at Rogers Centre. Blue Jays manager John Schneider confirmed Lukes’ return, stating that he had received treatment and was feeling better ahead of the match.
Schneider explained that Lukes was taken out of the previous game due to difficulties with movement. Despite this, all medical tests including X-rays and CT scans came back clear. Lukes was replaced by Myles Straw in Game 1.
The Blue Jays’ starting pitcher for Game 2 was scheduled to be right-hander Trey Yesavage, who was set to face off against Logan Gilbert of the Mariners. However, outfielder Anthony Santander was scratched from the lineup due to a lower back issue shortly before the game. Davis Schneider was named as Santander’s replacement in left field, with Ernie Clement moving up in the batting order.
The series was set to shift to Seattle for Games 3 and 4, with Game 5 also scheduled in Seattle if necessary. Should the series require it, Games 6 and 7 would take place back in Toronto. The Blue Jays were seeking a return to the World Series for the first time since their championship wins in 1992 and 1993, making their first ALCS appearance since 2016.