According to Sportsnet’s Arden Zwelling, Anthony Santander hasn’t resumed baseball activities as he remains on the injured list. Medical staff will evaluate him this weekend. Santander was signed in the offseason to help boost the Blue Jays’ offense. But the Blue Jays have successfully gotten into first place in the AL East standings without him. The Blue Jays have had a boost from players such as Addison Barger, Nathan Lukes, Myles Straw, and Ernie Clement. All of them are mostly considered bottom-of-the-order players. However, Clement, Barger, and Lukes have gotten the opportunity to hit lead-off, and it’s worked quite well.
Anthony Santander’s Absence Due to Shoulder Injury Continues
Santander’s Contract and Impact on the Team
With Santander’s absence on the roster, this gives the opportunity for other guys to step up. If they succeed with him still out, it affords them a chance to gain a larger role on the team. The Blue Jays’ abundance of outfielders has functioned well in the wake of injuries. The outfielders who have taken over for Santander, as well as Daulton Varsho, have stood up. For example, Straw, Lukes, Barger, and Jonatan Clase. Barger has been an impactful utility player who is bouncing back and forth from right field to third base this season.
Anthony Santander (shoulder) has yet to resume swinging and is heading to Toronto this weekend to be evaluated by Blue Jays medical staff
— Arden Zwelling (@ArdenZwelling) July 18, 2025
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When the Blue Jays signed Santander to a five-year $92 million deal in the offseason, fans surely didn’t picture that he would be on the injured list for this long. But Santander’s extended time on the IL doesn’t come as a surprise. This is considering he was scratched from the lineup on several occasions this season. While he was able to remain off the IL at the time, it seemed inevitable that he was going to land on it eventually. Luckily, the Blue Jays will be getting Varsho back soon, and it could be as soon as their series with the New York Yankees, which starts on Monday.
Acquiring an Outfield Slugger
The Blue Jays have been able to sustain reliable offense from several players in their lineup. This has come in handy with two sluggers on the IL. The Blue Jays will be facing some key series in the second half of the season. It will be interesting to see if they also decide to pick up another slugger at the deadline, especially if Santander remains out with injury. While Santander showed glimpses of his power early in the season, his defense is an area of weakness for him, so if the Blue Jays were to pick up an outfielder, someone whose defensive caliber is top-notch would be ideal.
Main Photo Credit: © Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
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