Blue Jays’ Anthony Santander out for several months after shoulder surgery
Anthony Santander will undergo shoulder surgery and will be out for five to six months, a major blow for Toronto heading into the 2026 season.
The Toronto Blue Jays will open the 2026 MLB season without one of their key bats. Outfielder Anthony Santander is set to undergo surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder and is expected to miss five to six months, a timeline that rules him out for Opening Day and forces Toronto to reshuffle its outfield plans immediately.
Manager John Schneider confirmed the news, explaining that the club’s goal is to get Santander back as soon as possible so he can contribute in the second half of the season. The 31‑year‑old is coming off an injury‑plagued year in which he appeared in just 54 regular‑season games and five postseason contests, never finding consistent rhythm.
A long‑term investment put on hold
Santander is only in the second season of the five‑year, $92.5 million contract he signed with Toronto before the 2025 campaign. The surgery is a significant setback at a crucial stage of that deal, especially after the Blue Jays had banked on his switch‑hitting power to anchor the lineup.
General manager Ross Atkins urged caution, noting that the organization is prepared for situations like this and believes the roster has enough depth to withstand Santander’s absence during the early months of the season.
More injury troubles for Toronto’s pitching staff
Santander wasn’t the only medical update of the day. Pitcher Bowden Francis will also undergo surgery — a full reconstruction of his ulnar collateral ligament — sidelining him for the entire 2026 season. Francis had bounced between starting and relief roles over the past two years, and his loss further thins Toronto’s pitching depth.
Meanwhile, Shane Bieber will delay his ramp‑up after experiencing right forearm fatigue. He won’t be ready for Opening Day, but the coaching staff believes he can still become a major contributor as the season progresses, given his track record and experience atop elite rotations.
Opportunity knocks for Toronto’s outfield depth
Santander’s injury opens the door for several outfielders to take on larger roles early in the season. Schneider acknowledged that this situation “creates an opportunity” for players looking to establish themselves while the Venezuelan slugger works his way back.
The Blue Jays enter 2026 with high expectations after coming close to a championship last year. But the early stretch of the season will test their depth and resource management as they navigate significant injuries with an eye toward being fully healthy for the decisive months ahead.
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