Blue Jays Announce Disappointing Anthony Santander Update on Friday

Jul 18, 2025 6:01 PM EDT

When the Toronto Blue Jays signed Anthony Santander to a five-year, $92.5 million deal this past offseason, expectations were high. The club envisioned him as a middle-of-the-order bat capable of providing power, balance, and postseason experience. However, the results so far have been underwhelming. Through 50 games, Santander has slashed just .179/.273/.304 with six home runs, 18 RBIs, and a .577 OPS—his lowest since entering the majors.

Compounding his struggles at the plate has been his health. In late May, Santander suffered a shoulder subluxation, landing him on the injured list. He last played on May 29 and has been unable to contribute to a surging offence that has had to adjust without him since then.

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Anthony Santander — Source: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images

Ahead of Friday night’s game, manager John Schneider offered an update on Santander. He told reporters that Santander is “still not swinging a bat,” though he is “gradually feeling better.”

Schneider added that the plan is for Santander to travel to Toronto soon to meet with team staff and further evaluate next steps.

This is a disappointing update, considering many fans hoped Santander would be close to returning after the All-Star break. Santander, when healthy and in form, brings formidable power and switch-hitting versatility—skills that were supposed to be at the heart of the team’s offensive strategy. His absence leaves some gap in the lineup and raises concerns about their depth entering the second half.

For now, the Blue Jays must navigate the stretch run without the impact player they invested heavily in this offseason.