Anthony Santander could still be a factor for the Toronto Blue Jays this season.
The switch-hitting outfielder has been facing a pitching machine from both sides of the plate at the Blue Jays' facilities in Dunedin, Fla., manager John Schneider said on Friday, according to Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith. Schneider added that getting Santander back into the lineup this year remains the goal.
Santander, 31, has not played in 2026 after undergoing surgery on his left shoulder in February. He also missed most of the 2025 season with an injury to the same shoulder, meaning he has appeared in just 54 games since signing a five-year, $92.5-million contract with the Blue Jays nearly two years ago.
Before joining the Blue Jays, Santander developed into a feared slugger for the Orioles over eight seasons. In 2024, he hit a career-high 44 home runs and won a Silver Slugger award.
Santander has yet to provide that same level of production to the Blue Jays, but he remains a tantalizing potential addition to a team starved for offence. The Blue Jays enter play Friday ranked 28th in the majors in home runs and team OPS.
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