Anthony Santander’s Return Unlikely Before Late August, Jays Plan for Life Without Him
It’s becoming clearer by the day: Anthony Santander’s return to the Blue Jays lineup isn’t just delayed — it’s drifting further down the calendar, and optimism is giving way to hard planning. What was initially labeled “week to week” is now nearing two months, and the updates from manager John Schneider are making it tough to stay hopeful.
Santander, Toronto’s big-ticket offseason signing, has been battling a stubborn left shoulder issue that originated from a subluxation — basically, a partial dislocation. The slugger tried pushing through the pain earlier this season, but it was evident something wasn’t right. Since then, it’s been a frustrating cycle of rest, reevaluation, and waiting for that moment when he can finally pick up a bat again. But even now, the update is that he’s still a couple of weeks away from even starting that process.
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Realistically, even if Santander begins swinging again by mid-August, we’re talking about a player who hasn’t seen live pitching in nearly three months. Shoulders are delicate — especially for hitters — and it’s not something a power bat like Santander can just ease back into. Best-case scenario? He’s probably not back until late August or even September. And that’s if everything goes perfectly.
Meanwhile, the Blue Jays are not sitting still. Even without Santander, they’ve surged to the top of the AL East and rank among the top 10 in MLB for runs scored. But let’s be honest — a playoff run demands more firepower. That’s why Toronto is expected to be active at the upcoming Trade Deadline. With Eugenio Suárez likely available, and names like Josh Naylor floating in trade rumors, the Jays might be targeting a true impact bat. Not just a depth move — a centerpiece. If Santander doesn’t make it back in time or isn’t the same player on return, Toronto needs to make sure they’re not caught flat-footed in a pennant race.
The front office clearly isn’t closing the door on Santander’s season. He’s a professional hitter — a 44-homer man just last year — and if he comes back swinging, it would be a huge boost for September and beyond. But a long layoff means he'd likely ease in as a designated hitter, which brings up another layer of strategy. George Springer has mostly occupied the DH role lately, and it’s contributed to his mid-season resurgence. Could the Jays afford to shift him back to the outfield full-time just to get Santander's bat in the lineup? That’s a juggling act they’ll need to figure out — if Santander makes it back.
For now, the Blue Jays are doing what any contender should: planning for the worst, hoping for the best. If Santander returns and plays a role in a deep playoff run, it’ll be a great story. But if he doesn’t, they can’t let that uncertainty derail a promising season.
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