Blue Jays’ Anthony Santander gets optimistic injury outlook

With the Toronto Blue Jays activating pitcher Shane Bieber, the team has other injury questions dealing with other players that fans want to know more about. As fans await any encouraging injury updates from the Blue Jays, one player who has yet to make his 2026 debut is Anthony Santander.

Toronto general manager Ross Atkins would speak to the media about an array of topics, with Santander coming up, as he even said that he has “turned a corner in the last couple weeks.” Plus, the Blue Jays are “optimistic” that the veteran could return to baseball activities soon.

“Anthony Santander has ‘turned a corner in the last couple weeks,’ per Ross Atkins,” Ben Nicholson-Smith wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “Jays are optimistic that Santander will return to baseball activity soon. Next steps ‘will be then dictated on how his recovery is on swinging.'”

Santander has missed a significant amount of time due to a shoulder injury, last playing in the 2025 season on Oct. 15, as there is no doubt that the 31-year-old will have to get in the swing of things before fully returning. Manager John Schneider spoke about Santander last Thursday, saying he is “due to start hitting next week.”

“Anthony Santander (shoulder surgery) is due to start hitting next week and is on track of initial August timeline,” Shi Davidi wrote on X.

“He’s very, very aware of how he feels, so getting to the point to where you start hitting is a good thing, meaning you’re feeling good,” Schneider said.

At any rate, it remains to be seen how Santander progresses and when he makes his 2026 debut for the Blue Jays.