Anthony Santander To Miss Most of 2026 With Shoulder Injury

[Bryan Jaeger]

Anthony Santander was looking to have a redemption year after injuries derailed his 2025 season. He suffered a shoulder subluxation last May after crashing into the outfield wall. The injury kept him out until the last couple of weeks of the regular season. Santander made the postseason roster, but in the ALCS, he suffered a back injury and was replaced, ending his season.

When the 31-year-old was on the field last season, he was a massive disappointment after his career-best 2024 campaign, in which he hit 44 home runs with 102 RBIs for the Baltimore Orioles. His success led him to sign a five-year, $92.5 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. However, in his 221 plate appearances last season, Santander hit just six home runs, scored 16 times, and drove in 18 runs. His underwhelming 61 wRC+ was his worst since his rookie cups of coffee in 2017 and '18. 

The Blue Jays were surely hoping that time to recover over the offseason would mean a bounce-back performance from Santander this year. However, the team just received devastating news about the left fielder. Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports that Santander will need left labral surgery, likely keeping the switch-hitter out for five to six months. There's no way to sugarcoat it: This contract is turning into a massive bust for the Toronto Blue Jays organization.

The Blue Jays finished 11th in home runs last season among MLB teams (191), making this injury news even more concerning. Bo Bichette left in free agency, and the Blue Jays struck out trying to add Kyle Tucker in free agency. Fans need to brace themselves for another year with less power than they'd like to see. Nathan Lukes looks to be the main recipient of the playing time that has opened up, and he's not exactly a big home run threat.

Lukes has only hit 15 home runs in 560 career plate appearances, but he was a reliable top-of-the-order batter in 2025. He makes lots of contact and gets on base at an above-average rate. It will be interesting to see if the Blue Jays try to add another bat, though all of the big-name free agents have already signed.

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