Injury setback hampers hopes of Santander returning this season

Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Anthony Santander. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Injury setback hampers hopes of Anthony Santander returning to Blue Jays this season

By Vanessa Serrao | Last updated Sep 15, 2026 6:32 PM ET

The Toronto Blue Jays' hopes of Anthony Santander returning this season continue to look bleak as he faces yet another injury hurdle.

Just days after finally beginning a minor league rehab assignment following shoulder surgery in February, the $92.5 million slugger is now experiencing lower back soreness.

His new injury will keep him out of the Triple-A Buffalo rehab lineup on Tuesday. Optimism for Santander making his long-awaited return to the Blue Jays roster has decreased with a fresh injury.

Santander went 1-7 in his first two rehab games in Buffalo, and while his injury is listed as day-to-day, the likelihood of him returning before the regular season ends looks slim. The last thing Santander needed was another setback, but the injury bug just continues to impact his tenure with the Blue Jays.

News: Anthony Santander is dealing with some lower back discomfort. He won’t play tonight in AAA.

Same thing happened last year. #BlueJays
— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) September 15, 2026

Blue Jays have an Anthony Santander problem on their hands

The last time Santander played for the Blue Jays was on Oct. 15, 2025, and the outfielder has so far been a bust following his 44-home-run campaign with the Baltimore Orioles in 2024.

The second season in Santander's five-year contract with the team is soon coming to a close. He played in only 54 games last season and hit .175 with six home runs, 18 RBI and a .565 OPS.

The hope of Santander making his debut with the Blue Jays this season just continues to look unrealistic with the way his recovery process has gone.

Vanessa Serrao

Serrao is a freelance baseball writer who has covered all MLB teams, with particular expertise on the Toronto Blue Jays. She is a member of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America.

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