Blue Jays Slugger Anthony Santander Begins Triple-A Rehab Assignment

The Toronto Blue Jays are finally seeing some light at the end of the tunnel regarding their prized slugger. Outfielder Anthony Santander is officially set to begin a minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Buffalo.

This major development comes as he continues recovering from significant surgery. He underwent a procedure back in February to repair a torn left labrum in his shoulder.

The Road to Recovery in Triple-A

Manager John Schneider announced that Santander will initially take things slow during his minor league stint. He will strictly play as a designated hitter before eventually transitioning back to defensive outfield duties.

The organization plans to implement a lengthy, Spring Training-style ramp-up period that will span multiple games. Coaches and training staff want to ensure he is fully prepared before making a triumphant return to the Toronto Blue Jays active roster.

Monitoring Progress and Performance

During this critical assignment, the club will closely monitor every aspect of his physical and mechanical readiness. They want to evaluate how his shoulder feels and how well he is striking the baseball against live pitching.

Fans of the Baltimore Orioles remember his incredible power, but his debut season in Toronto was heavily derailed. A severe shoulder issue limited him to just 54 regular-season games where he batted a meager .175.

Looking Past Early Struggles

Santander signed a lucrative five-year, $92.5 million contract in January 2025 following a stellar 44-home-run campaign. Unfortunately, his first year in Canada did not go as planned, culminating in postseason struggles that saw him replaced on the roster during the ALCS.

Team coaches readily acknowledge that the switch-hitting slugger is historically a notoriously slow starter at the plate. Because of this tendency, they are emphasizing a patient approach to his current rehab timeline.

Ultimately, the front office is encouraging the veteran hitter to focus entirely on regaining his health. Dwelling on past offensive slumps will only distract from the primary goal of physical rehabilitation.

Keys to a Successful Return

For Santander to re-establish himself as a middle-of-the-order threat, several key benchmarks must be met during his time in Buffalo:

Pain-free swings: Ensuring the surgically repaired shoulder can handle major league velocity without discomfort.

Defensive progression: Safely moving from the designated hitter role back to tracking fly balls in the outfield.

Timing at the plate: Regaining his natural rhythm and plate discipline after months away from competitive action.

If he can check all of these boxes, the Baseball News cycle in Toronto will quickly shift toward a much more positive narrative. The team desperately needs his bat to fire on all cylinders as the season progresses.

Health remains the ultimate priority for both the player and the coaching staff moving forward. With a careful and measured approach, Santander can finally put his injury-plagued past behind him.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Santander (torn labrum) to begin Triple-A rehab assignment