2026 Injury Report: Updates on Burnes, Olson, Santander

Yet again, the Blue Jays will be without one of their most expensive bats for most of the 2026 season. Anthony Santander, who missed most of 2025, is on pace to do the same again in 2026. It was one of several injury-related notes from the first full day of Spring Training.

Updates on Blue Jays’ injuries

Toronto’s brass stated on the 10th that outfielder Anthony Santander will have shoulder surgery to repair his left labrum this week. It’s an operation that will keep him out for five to six months. The team hopes that he can return later on this season.

Santander missed four months of the regular season last year thanks to hip & shoulder injuries. He came back later in the year but was removed from the ALCS roster due to back tightness. That move ended his 2025 season.

As for the pitchers, Shane Bieber is currently limited thanks to right forearm fatigue. Bieber, who’s currently throwing from 90 feet (27.4 meters), will not be ready for the start of the year, per the team.

Lastly, starter Bowden Francis will need UCL reconstruction surgery this week. Francis will miss the entire 2026 season.

Olson done for 2026

On February 10, the Tigers signed franchise legend Justin Verlander to a one-year deal, adding another pitcher to what looked like a deep rotation. However, more clarity on the Tigers’ rotation on the 10th.

The Tigers announced that pitcher Reese Olson was placed on the 60-day IL and will miss the entire 2026 season. Olson had surgery on February 2 to undergo a right shoulder labral repair.

Olson missed much of last season thanks to a shoulder injury.

Additionally, Jackson Jobe (UCL reconstruction surgery recovery) was placed on the 60-day IL.

Burnes aiming for second half

Diamondbacks pitcher Corbin Burnes told the media on February 10 that he’s aiming to return in mid-July, although he joked that if it were “his timeline,” he would be ready by the end of March.