Schneider: Anthony Santander "Feeling Normal" Again

[Leo Morgenstern]

Shoulder and back injuries kept Anthony Santander out for most of the 2025 season and playoffs. It was a disappointing start to his Blue Jays tenure.

From 2022-24, the man known lovingly as Tony Taters hit 105 home runs for the Orioles, posting a 123 wRC+ and 8.1 FanGraphs WAR. In his first year with Toronto, the switch-hitter swatted just six homers in 54 games, with a 61 wRC+ and -0.9 fWAR. However, the Jays are hoping a healthy Santander can look more like the Silver Slugger they signed to a five-year, $92.5 million contract last winter.

Manager John Schneider addressed reporters on Tuesday at the Winter Meetings. DiamondCentric's John Bonnes was on hand for the event.

"Tony is going to be huge for us," said Schneider. "He's a big part of what we're doing."

The skipper continued, "I've told him this: 'I don't want you to think you have to do anything you don't do well. You don't have to come back and hit .300 with 50 homers to make up for last year.' We need Tony to fit in the way we know he can when we signed him."

As for the shoulder subluxation that forced Santander to the injured list in May and the back tightness that forced him off the ALCS roster in October, Scheider doesn't seem to be concerned.

"Shoulder is good. Back is good. He's just feeling normal,"  the manager explained. He went on to express hope that Santander will have a regular spring training. Schneider acknowledged that the veteran is a "notorious slow starter," but seemed optimistic that he can "hit the ground running" in 2026.

Featured image courtesy of Dan Hamilton, Imagn Images.

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[Joltin Joe]

Why didn't we sign Castellanos instead of trading for Sanchez 

[Spanky__99]

4 minutes ago, Joltin Joe said:

Why didn't we sign Castellanos instead of trading for Sanchez 

[Jonn]

8 minutes ago, Joltin Joe said:

Why didn't we sign Castellanos instead of trading for Sanchez 

Cause he sucks. And signing him would have pushed out Joey Loperfido anyway. So why does it matter?

[BringBackTheODog]

38 minutes ago, Joltin Joe said:

Why didn't we sign Castellanos instead of trading for Sanchez 

[Joltin Joe]

13 hours ago, Jonn said:

Cause he sucks. And signing him would have pushed out Joey Loperfido anyway. So why does it matter?

Sanchez isn't much better and Joey is good young outfielder. Astros fans are laughing at us on YouTube. 

[Brownie19]

7 hours ago, Joltin Joe said:

Sanchez isn't much better and Joey is good young outfielder. Astros fans are laughing at us on YouTube. 

You realize that lots of fans know little to nothing about baseball eh?  There's even some on this board that don't!

Don't be fooled by the success Loperfido had last year at the plate...

[Joltin Joe]

1 hour ago, Brownie19 said:

You realize that lots of fans know little to nothing about baseball eh?  There's even some on this board that don't!

Don't be fooled by the success Loperfido had last year at the plate...

Don't put yourself down like that Brownie.