TORONTO, ON – October 2 Blue Jays GM, Ross Atkins answers questions. The Toronto Blue Jays held their final press conferences of the year at the Rogers Centre following the end of their season. October 2 2024 Richard Lautens/Toronto Star (Richard Lautens/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
Toronto Star via Getty Images
The Toronto Blue Jays have spent much of the 2026 season trying to stabilize their lineup while managing multiple injuries to key contributors.
That challenge has been pronounced throughout the roster, but certainly in the outfield, where the absence of key sluggers has forced the club to shuffle roles and evaluate internal and external replacements. Since shortly into the debut of his blockbuster contract last year, that has included Anthony Santander, the $92 million offseason addition who was expected to anchor the middle of Toronto’s lineup but has yet to fully establish a rhythm due to injury setbacks.
Now, Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins has offered a cautiously optimistic update on the veteran slugger’s recovery timeline.
Toronto Blue Jays Boss Atkins Provides Timeline Response After Anthony Santander Injury Update
When asked to give a sense of Santander’s return timeline after he endured a significant setback before the season started, Atkins responded that the former Silver Slugger and All-Star is making progress. But he also emphasized that his return will depend entirely on how he responds once baseball activity resumes.
“He’s turned a corner in the last couple of weeks,” Atkins said, according to the Toronto Star’s Gregor Chisholm. “He’s encouraged, we’re optimistic that he will be in baseball activity here soon and it will then be dictated on just how his recovery is on swinging.”
The comments reflect a measured tone from the Blue Jays’ front office as Atkins attempts to avoid rushing Santander back too quickly, particularly given his recent injury history and extended absences.
Toronto’s roster construction has made Santander’s eventual return a focal point, especially as the team continues to evaluate lineup stability down the stretch and work through Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s power outage.
Harsh Injuries Have Defined Anthony Santander’s Toronto Blue Jays Tenure After Silver Slugger Season
Santander’s time in Toronto hasn’t gone as hoped since he left the Baltimore Orioles in free agency following a standout season. He missed a significant portion of his debut campaign with a shoulder injury and opted for surgery shortly before this season started.
“Anthony Santander’s comeback season has already been grounded,” MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson wrote in February. “Santander will undergo left labral surgery … with Dr. Keith Meister and is expected to miss five to six months, manager John Schneider announced, another brutal blow after injuries and poor performance wiped out the first year of his five-year, $92.5-million deal.”
Those setbacks have left the Blue Jays navigating a constantly shifting roster picture, particularly in the outfield and designated hitter mix.
If Santander can recover as quickly as Atkins is hoping, though, he could be called upon to fill in an open outfield job shortly.
“Assuming (Addison) Barger returns, the job is his and the Jays’ search for upgrades would be limited to bench pieces,” Chisholm added. “If he has a setback, the focus should shift to replacing Jesus Sanchez with a better bat and more competent defender. Perhaps the replacement could be fellow injured slugger Anthony Santander, but that seems doubtful considering he has appeared in just 54 regular-season games over the last two seasons. He’s also no Gold Glover.”
For the Blue Jays, the next few weeks will be critical in determining whether Santander can realistically contribute in 2026 or whether the club must continue relying on contingency plans deep into the season.