As the Toronto Blue Jays gear up for their final playoff push, some reinforcements could be on the horizon.
Speaking to reporters ahead of Monday's series opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates, manager John Schneider provided updates on a handful of injured Blue Jays players.
Most notably, prized off-season signing Anthony Santander has continued to work through his hitting progression in Toronto and will join the team later this week in Miami to continue his ramp-up.
Santander has been on the injured list since late May with shoulder inflammation. After a long period of not picking up a bat, the 30-year-old returned to swinging last week.
The Blue Jays signed Santander to a five-year, $92.5 million contract in January. In his first 50 games with the team, the 2024 all-star slashed .179/.273/.304 with six home runs.
In addition to Santander, Schneider updated the status of relievers Nick Sandlin and Yimi García.
Sandlin, currently sidelined with right elbow inflammation, will continue throwing from 120 feet in the coming days. If all goes well there, he will return to a mound.
The 28-year-old has spent much of 2025 on the injured list, but in 16.1 innings at the MLB level, Sandlin owns a 2.20 ERA and 16 strikeouts.
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García, meanwhile, isn't progressing toward a return to the field yet.
Schneider called his visit with team staff in Toronto "unproductive," adding that the club is "still working through it" in reference to García's ulnar nerve symptoms.
The 35-year-old right-hander will remain in Toronto as the team decides on next steps.
García has been out since July 5, hitting the IL shortly after returning from a right shoulder impingement. In 21 innings for the Blue Jays this season, he has a 3.86 ERA, three saves and 25 strikeouts.
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