Sports
Santander Set to Start Rehab Stint With Buffalo as Blue Jays Update Pitcher Injuries
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Anthony Santander is nearing a return to the major leagues after manager John Schneider announced Monday, before a game in Sacramento, that Santander will begin a rehabilitation assignment with the triple-A Buffalo Bisons on Wednesday. According to Schneider, Santander will first appear as a designated hitter before transitioning to outfield duty. He is expected to need multiple games to regain his timing before being activated by the Blue Jays. Santander, 31, has not appeared in a game during the 2026 season following surgery on his left shoulder in February. The same shoulder issue also sidelined him for most of the 2025 season. Prior to joining Toronto, Santander spent eight seasons with the Baltimore Orioles, where he established himself as a reliable power hitter. His best offensive season came in 2024, when he earned a Silver Slugger Award and set a career high with 44 home runs. The Blue Jays, who have struggled with power production this season, currently rank tied for second-fewest home runs in Major League Baseball. In addition to the update on Santander, Schneider shared progress reports on three Blue Jays pitchers. Trey Yesavage, recovering from surgery last month to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee, threw a 34-pitch bullpen session Monday in Dunedin, Florida. He is scheduled to face live hitters for two innings on Thursday as the next step in his recovery. Shane Bieber, sidelined due to inflammation in the teres major muscle connecting the shoulder blade to the upper arm, extended his flat-ground throwing distance to 75 feet during Monday's session in Sacramento. Meanwhile, the club is awaiting further evaluation of Jameson Taillon's elbow MRI by Dr. James Meister before determining next steps. Taillon was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday due to right elbow inflammation, just one day after exiting his first start back from a previous injury. Schneider has indicated that Taillon is likely out for the remainder of the 2026 season.