Anthony Santander is nearing a return after missing the entirety of the 2026 season.
The Toronto Blue Jays outfielder has not played since Game 3 of last year’s ALCS.
Santander underwent surgery in February to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder. He hurt the shoulder during an offseason workout.
It marks the second straight year a shoulder issue has sidelined Santander.
On Monday, manager John Schneider met with reporters and shared an update on Santander after the Detroit Tigers beat the Blue Jays 6-5.
The loss dropped Toronto to 75-76 on the season. They remain a game behind the Cleveland Guardians for the final American League wild-card spot.
Latest Anthony Santander Update
Santander will continue Triple-A Buffalo rehab, Schneider said.
“Anthony Santander will continue to play for AAA Buffalo likely through the rest of this week,” Thomas Hall of Blue Jays Nation reported.
Asked about best-case scenario, Schneider said: “He’s hitting the ball hard. He’s hitting some home runs, and he’s playing the outfield.”
That keeps him with the Bisons through their regular-season finale Sunday. A call-up to Toronto would come no earlier than next week.
Schneider feels Santander first needs enough at-bats.
“Asked about best-case scenario, Schneider said: ‘He’s hitting the ball hard. He’s hitting some home runs and he’s playing the outfield,'” Hall added.
Santander signed a five-year, $92.5 million contract with Toronto in January 2025. Injuries have limited him to just 54 games in a Blue Jays uniform. He batted .175 with 6 homers and 18 RBIs last season.
The 31-year-old has played in two rehab games with Buffalo. He is 1-for-7 overall on the assignment. He has split time between designated hitter and left field.
Trey Yesavage, Shane Bieber Also Progress After Tigers Loss
Right-hander Trey Yesavage will make a rehab start Tuesday with Triple-A Buffalo. Yesavage will target 40 to 45 pitches across three innings.
Schneider said he wants Yesavage’s stuff to look normal and confirm he feels physically sound. The 23-year-old could return from the injured list next week on Monday.
Shane Bieber also took a step forward this week. He is scheduled to throw off a mound Tuesday for the first time since landing on the injured list. Bieber is recovering from a teres major strain.
Blue Jays Announce Anthony Santander News Amid Tigers Series