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Blue Jays’ John Schneider Announces Exciting Anthony Santander Development

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Josh E. Valdez | Last updated Aug 29, 2025 5:37 PM ET

The Toronto Blue Jays not only have the best record in the AL, but they're succeeding without one of their best players. Outfielder Anthony Santander (shoulder), who signed a five-year, $92.5 million contract with them in January, has been out since his early exit on May 29.

The 30-year-old is coming off a career season in which he notched 44 homers, 102 RBI, and 58 walks over 155 games for the Baltimore Orioles. He hit at least 28 homers in each of the last three years and had an OPS of at least .773.

However, Santander struggled for the Blue Jays before getting hurt this season, slashing .179/.273/.304 with six homers and 18 RBI over 50 games. Luckily for both him and the team, though, it looks like he'll get a chance to redeem himself this year, via MLB.com's Keegan Matheson.

Manager John Schneider said that the team is having Santander "doing everything" in Toronto ahead of its bout with the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday. He'll also travel to the club's next series against the Cincinnati Reds, and it hopes he can play rehab games after that.

The Blue Jays have 28 regular-season games left, so the best-case scenario is getting Santander some reps before the playoffs in October.

It sounds more realistic than ever that Anthony Santander could return in 2025.

The #BlueJays have him “doing everything” today in Toronto. He’ll travel to Cincinnati and they hope he could start rehab games after that series.
— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) August 29, 2025

Could Anthony Santander Push Blue Jays Over Edge?

Toronto is winning without Santander thanks to a deep roster highlighted by shortstop Bo Bichette, first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., right fielder George Springer, starting pitcher Max Scherzer (5-2, 3.82 ERA), and fellow starting pitcher Kevin Gausman (8-10, 3.87 ERA). Additionally, catcher Alejandro Kirk is slashing a career-best .299/.363/.424, while third baseman Addison Barger has 18 homers and 61 RBI in his first full big-league season.

Adding a healthy Santander into that mix could send the Blue Jays into the stratosphere. Still, they must prove that they can handle business in the playoffs, as they haven't won a postseason game since 2016.

On the bright side, Toronto will clinch its first ALDS appearance since that year if it wins the AL East and finishes as one of the top two division-winners in the AL. They're 3.5 games ahead of the Boston Red Sox and four ahead of the New York Yankees ahead of Friday night's slate.

Trade deadline acquisition and former AL Cy Young Award-winner Shane Bieber (1-0, 1.50 ERA) will start on the mound for the Blue Jays against Brewers right-hander Freddy Peralta (15-5, 2.68 ERA) on Friday.

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

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