The Toronto Blue Jays have positioned veteran designated hitter Brandon Belt at the injured listing on account of lumbar backbone muscle spasms. In a corresponding proceed, the Blue Jays promoted outfielder Nathan Lukes from Triple-A Buffalo.

Belt, 35, was once compelled via the again spasms to departure Monday’s loss in opposition to the Texas Rangers then his 2nd at-bat. He was once additionally a past due scratch from the initiation lineup previous this pace with the similar factor. The Blue Jays can best hope that at some time at the shelf will heal him.

Belt enters Tuesday hitting .251/.369/.470 (131 OPS+) with 16 house runs and 38 RBI. His contributions were usefulness an estimated 1.7 Wins Above Substitute, consistent with Baseball Reference’s estimates. Accidents are not anything unutilized for Belt, who reportedly regarded as retiring over the offseason if his knees didn’t enhance. He additionally neglected occasion previous this summer time with hamstring irritation. 

Lukes, 29, has visible motion in 28 video games this season with the Blue Jays. He’s batted .200/.300/.320 (72 OPS+) with two extra-base hits and two RBI in 30 plate appearances. 

Belt’s shock comes at an inopportune occasion for the Blue Jays, who proceed to struggle for a postseason berth. Toronto enters Tuesday with an 80-64 document at the presen, placing them 0.5 video games up at the Rangers for the second one wild-card spot. They’re additionally one sport up at the Seattle Mariners, who, at the moment, constitute the primary crew out of the American League playoff image.