Just days after being activated from the paternity list, Lukes showed off his dad strength by clubbing a 366-foot (102.3 mph EV) solo shot off of Ronel Blanco in the third inning. That would be his only hit in three at-bats on the evening. He has struggled in his time with the Jays this season — hitting just .200/.306/.333 with the one home run and five RBI. He’s at risk of being sent back to Triple-A Buffalo once Daulton Varsho is ready to return next week.

Lukes was away for three days, but he’s back with the club after taking care of far more pressing matters.

Lukes should be back Friday. The 30-year-old has hit .167/.310/.208 in 29 plate appearances while helping to fill in for Daulton Varsho. Myles Straw might now get whatever at-bats Lukes was going to see the next couple of days.

Lukes demolished a 1-0 curveball from Marcus Stroman in the second inning, launching a 407-foot (107.2 mph EV) solo shot to right center that pulled the Jays to within a run at 2-1. Lukes also worked a leadoff walk in the fifth inning, swiped second base and raced around to score on a double by Addison Barger. He faces an uphill battle at winning a spot on the team’s Opening Day roster, but getting off the schneid on Friday and upping his batting average to .200 (3-for-15) will help his cause.