Blue Jays Announce Anthony Santander News Before Phillies Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Ayomide P. Adeduyite | Last updated Jun 13, 2025 6:55 PM ET

The Blue Jays enter Friday’s rematch against the Philadelphia Phillies in top form, despite navigating a stretch beset by key injuries. Entering the series as the hottest team in the American League, Toronto is averaging 6.4 runs per game in its last 14 games and has won five straight series, even as several everyday players have missed time.

One of Toronto’s prominent players who has spent time out of the lineup is Anthony Santander. The 30-year-old outfielder has not played a game since May 30 when he was placed on the 10‑day injured list with left shoulder inflammation. At the time, he was slashing just .179/.273/.304 with six home runs and a .577 OPS.

On Friday, before the Phillies game, manager John Schneider provided an encouraging update: Santander has resumed “light baseball activity,” including gentle throwing and some swings, but the club is being cautious—expecting his return timeline to trail Daulton Varsho’s.

"It's light catch, swinging a bit. I think he'll be a little bit longer than Varsho, to be honest with you," Schneider said via MLB.com's Keegan Matheson.

It sounds like Anthony Santander (suoulder) will be brought along slowly. He's just started "light baseball activity" and the #BlueJays really want him at 100%

Schneider: "It's light catch, swinging a bit. I think he'll be a little bit longer than Varsho, to be honest with you."
— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) June 13, 2025

Santander’s season has been a struggle—far removed from his powerful output in Baltimore and hampered by inconsistency at the plate. A full recovery and return in top form would inject a needed power presence into the lineup and offer Toronto another veteran bat for the playoff push.

A healthy Santander this summer could be the spark the Blue Jays need to transform their current momentum into sustained contention. In the meantime, Toronto, currently second in the AL East with a 38-30 record, will hope to keep its momentum alive in Santander's absence.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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