Blue Jays Expect 44 Home Run Slugger to Return Before Postseason

The Toronto Blue Jays signed Anthony Santander in the offseason to a five-year contract, hoping to replicate the production he achieved a year ago with the Baltimore Orioles. Unfortunately, Santander hasn’t played as well as many were expecting him to and has dealt with a shoulder injury. Santander hasn’t played a game since May 29.

Prior to going down with a shoulder injury, the switch-hitter was hitting just .179 with six home runs and 55 strikeouts in 184 at-bats. To put it lightly, Santander wasn’t even half of what he’d been for much of his career. He hit 44 home runs just last season.

Perhaps there was already an existing injury prior to this shoulder one, and he just needed to clean things up. 

Regardless, the hope is for him to return sometime before the postseason, and it sounds like it’s a possibility. According to Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet, Santander is expected to start a rehab assignment soon. 

“Anthony Santander is nearing a rehab assignment that could begin Tuesday with Triple-A Buffalo. Santander will travel with Blue Jays to New York this weekend to continue his build up and get more reps hitting right-handed. Santander will get at least five games on rehab,” he wrote.

Blue Jays Need Anthony Santander to Hit the Ground Running

The Toronto Blue Jays are in the midst of a major month, hoping to win the American League East. With a small lead over the New York Yankees now, the Blue Jays need players like Santander to step up massively. 

If they don’t, or if other players get injured, the Blue Jays could find themselves in a tough spot. 

Regarding what skipper John Schneider wants to see from Santander once he returns, he isn’t looking for him to hit a ton of home runs or do anything special, just take good at-bats and do what he’s done for much of his career.

“Everyone understands where we are, knowing that we want the best version of everyone,” Schneider said, per Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. “We’ll decide then. He can definitely help us with the power profile and potential. If that’s there, it’s not just plugging him in there every day. It’s about seeing what other people are doing when he is back. I wouldn’t say ‘difficult.’ I think he’ll know when he’s ready, too.”

“Just bat speed, exit velocity, signs like that,” Schneider said. “I don’t care if he lines out 20 times. I just want to see signs of him being back to his best.”

Where Does Anthony Santander Fit?

It sounds like he’ll be in the mix to play the outfield for the Toronto Blue Jays upon return, which some questioned given the injury. 

With how well George Springer has played for the past few months, it’d be tough giving up at-bats for him, so the Blue Jays will have to figure something out to get both of them in the lineup.

“They’d kind of split it,” Schneider said. “George is fine playing the outfield. Whenever Tony does get playing in Triple-A, he’ll play in the outfield, too, so that’s an option. The fact that he’s feeling better is good, then I want him to be clicking when he comes back, not tentative or anything. I want him to be able to produce.”

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