Toronto Blue Jays player explains how he was 'messed up' with vertigo

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Nathan Lukes did not look like his usual self to start the 2026 season.

Heading into the weekend series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Lukes was batting an abysmal .064, and fans were criticizing manager John Schneider for continuing to put him in the lineup.

Lukes had been experiencing intermittent dizziness and nausea since spring training, per Sportsnet's Shi Davidi. On Friday in Phoenix, Lukes visited a vertigo specialist, and the results were immediate.

Nathan Lukes had SEVEN hits this weekend! #BlueJays50 pic.twitter.com/DbnQw3jxNr

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) April 19, 2026

Lukes recorded seven hits in 11 plate appearances during the weekend series against Arizona, snapping a 0-for-23 cold spell.

"It's amazing what happens when you can see the ball," Lukes told Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet following Sunday's 10-4 Blue Jays win. "I was physically messed up."

It's hard enough to hit a 100-mph fastball as it is, let alone when you feel like you or the world is swinging around.

Vertigo is a false sensation of motion or spinning that disrupts the body's balance system.

The 31-year-old outfielder said he does not know where the vertigo came from or how it started, but admitted it made stepping into the batter's box a challenge.

"It's very hard to hit when it feels like you might throw up at any second," Lukes said.

Nathan Lukes, 3-for-32 to begin the season, has been experiencing intermittent dizziness and nausea since spring training. He was recently diagnosed with vertigo.

Blue Jays medical staff cleared Lukes to continue playing and coaching staff trusted him to battle through it. — Arden Zwelling (@ArdenZwelling) April 18, 2026

Despite Lukes' struggles, Schneider continued to stand by his outfielder, confident he would turn things around — something Lukes says has been instrumental in his recovery process.

"It's been great these past few games; everyone on this team has had my back," Lukes said.

Lukes three hits and three RBI performance helped the Blue Jays end a four-game losing skid. The team will look to continue that momentum into their three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels, starting on Monday night.