Sports
Blue Jays' Santander Set for Rehab Stint as Season Nears Its End
Anthony Santander is finally set to return to game action, with Blue Jays manager John Schneider confirming to Sportsnet's Arden Zwelling that the outfielder will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday. It will be Santander's first appearance in any game since he served as Toronto's starting designated hitter in Game 3 of last October's ALCS against the Mariners. Back stiffness forced him off the Jays' ALCS roster the following day, ending his postseason involvement and capping an injury-plagued year. His situation worsened this season when he underwent surgery on his left shoulder in February, an operation that was expected to sideline him for five to six months. That timeline has now stretched beyond seven months, with no certainty he'll return to Toronto's lineup before the season concludes. His rehab was briefly interrupted by shoulder soreness that required a cortisone injection, but he appears to be progressing again. Santander will likely need at least a week of minor league games to build up his conditioning, and time is limited since the minor league season wraps up on September 20. According to Zwelling, the Blue Jays intend to use Santander mainly as a corner outfielder. With George Springer serving almost exclusively as designated hitter this year, Santander will need to take the field unless Springer gets a rest day or occasionally plays left field. While defense has never been Santander's strength, the Blue Jays are willing to accept some defensive shortcomings if he can recover even a portion of his offensive power. Santander built his reputation with the Orioles, highlighted by a 44-home run season in 2024 that led to a five-year, $92.5 million contract with Toronto. However, injuries limited him to just 221 plate appearances in 2025, during which he batted .175 with a .271 on-base percentage, a .294 slugging mark, and five home runs. Even if the shoulder surgery resolved the issues that hindered him last year, it remains uncertain how he will perform as a switch-hitter after such an extended absence. Santander's return also comes amid playoff pressure, with the Blue Jays locked in a tight race against the Guardians for the final American League wild card spot. Even a partial return to form at the plate could benefit a Toronto offense that currently ranks near the bottom of the league in home runs.