Toronto Sports Today

Toronto Sports News Continuously Updated

Anthony Santander Heads to Injured List Following Recent Slump

by

Anthony Santander’s start with the Toronto Blue Jays isn’t what fans were hoping for considering his slow start and now landing on the injured list. It was announced on Friday that Santander will go on the 10-day IL with left shoulder inflammation. In his last seven games, he has recorded seven strikeouts, a .150 batting average, three hits, and a .292 OBP. While outfielder George Springer has also been inconsistent, he has still been more valuable at the plate recently, as he can get on base through walks and provide speed on the bases. Santander was brought in to help the Blue Jays offensive woes, but things are not going as expected for the 30-year-old. He’s been dealing with a hip injury as well as a shoulder injury, but this is the first time that he has landed on the IL this season.

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Blue Jays Place Anthony Santander on Injured List

If Santander can change his approach upon his return this would benefit him and the Blue Jays greatly. For players such as Nathan Lukes and Daulton Varsho, it has made a huge difference.

The moves the Blue Jays made before the season have yet to pay off. Santander’s fellow off-season signing Max Scherzer has missed a lot of time this year. He continues to make strides in his recovery, but whether or not we will get to see him pitch more than three innings this season is still questionable. Santander was able to remain in somewhat better health and come in as a pinch hitter late in games recently. But considering how he’s continued to be scratched from lineups, it was inevitable that he was going to land on the shelf.

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

How Santander’s Injury Impacts the Blue Jays

Santander has been in and out of the lineup all season. While he hasn’t missed a significant number of games, the injuries have inevitably played a role in impacting his offense this season. Santander normally warms up in June but his clock is ticking. Smashing 44 home runs this season is appearing less likely to happen. Overall, Santander has shown glimpses of lively power, for example against the Boston Red Sox last month. He helped the Blue Jays come back from a 6-0 deficit late in the game on April 30 with a three-run home run, but lately, he just hasn’t stood out. He has a total of six home runs this season.

Santander does provide versatility in that he can play first base and also DH. But he needs to improve on his chase rate, which ranks poorly in the 27th percentile at 31.5%. Guys like Myles Straw have already come in as a pinch-runner and hitter for Santander, which could happen again if Santander doesn’t improve his numbers when he comes back.

The Last Word With Santander

While it may not be time to hit the panic button on Santander just yet, he needs to figure things out. The Blue Jays have several areas where they can gain offensive power, and they have a lot of outfielders that they can utilize. Minor leaguers like Alan Roden, Davis Schneider, and Joey Loperfido could get a call-up in Santander’s absence.

Luckily, the Blue Jays have had help from the bottom part of the lineup. Also, Bo Bichette, Daulton Varsho, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. have been lighting it up offensively. But the hope is Santander can provide more power for the Blue Jays when he comes off the injured list.

 

Photo Credit: © Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

The post Anthony Santander Heads to Injured List Following Recent Slump appeared first on Last Word On Baseball.