Blue Jays Make Anthony Santander Announcement After 123 Missed Games

The Toronto Blue Jays have had to find production elsewhere while outfielder Anthony Santander works his way back from a significant shoulder injury. His absence has culminated in a difficult season for the Blue Jays, who are trying to stay alive in the American League playoff race.

Toronto enters Friday’s series opener against the New York Yankees at 59-64, two games behind for the final wild card spot.

The Blue Jays signed the Santander to a five-year, $92.5 million contract before the 2025 season after he had established himself as one of baseball’s premier power bats with the Baltimore Orioles.

The Blue Jays provided another update on the outfielder on Friday. According to manager John Schneider, Santander is hitting off a tee in Florida as he continues his rehabilitation.

Schneider noted that Santander is “making progress,” via The Athletic’s Mitch Bannon.

The latest development comes after Santander underwent surgery to repair a labral tear in his left shoulder, which has kept him out since before spring training.

There is no guarantee yet that Santander will return before the season ends and the long absence is a continuation of a difficult stretch for him in Toronto. He played only 54 games in 2025, batting .175 with a .565 OPS, six home runs and 15 RBIs after dealing with the same left-shoulder problem.

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His production was a far cry from the season that earned him his lucrative contract. Santander hit 44 home runs with 102 RBIs and an .814 OPS in 2024, earning his first All-Star selection and finishing among the American League’s leading power hitters during his final season with the Orioles. His career line stands at .241/.305/.458 with 161 home runs and 453 RBIs.

Toronto would gladly welcome even a fraction of that power back. The Blue Jays have won three of their last four and now face a Yankees team that enter Friday at 68-53.