The Toronto Blue Jays face another major setback in their postseason push. Outfielder Anthony Santander has been removed from the roster due to injury.
This development not only ends Santander’s 2025 season but also makes him ineligible for the World Series if Toronto advances. The Blue Jays already have star shortstop Bo Bichette sidelined, so now they’re really testing their depth and resilience in the hunt for an American League Championship.
Blue Jays Lose Santander at a Critical Juncture
MLB approved the roster change late Thursday. Toronto will replace their marquee offseason acquisition with rookie Joey Loperfido.
Santander’s removal comes in the middle of the ALCS against the Seattle Mariners. It’s a high-stakes series where every bat and glove feels like it matters a little more.
Loperfido hasn’t made a postseason appearance yet. That leaves a lot of uncertainty about what he’ll bring to the lineup.
Santander’s First Year in Toronto Ends in Frustration
Santander signed a five-year, $92.5 million contract and was supposed to be a cornerstone for the Blue Jays. Instead, injuries kept popping up all year.
He managed only 54 regular-season games because of ongoing shoulder problems. October brought another blow—he had back flare-ups during the playoffs.
He sat out Game 2 of the ALCS, then tried to come back for Game 3. That didn’t last long; the team subbed him out mid-game for a defensive replacement.
Manager John Schneider said they made the call after Santander woke up Thursday morning with significant stiffness and soreness. The team decided to act before things got worse, knowing postseason rules would make him ineligible for any more games, even the championship series.
Breaking Down Santander’s 2025 Performance
Statistically, Santander’s first year in Toronto just didn’t deliver. His offensive production never found any rhythm, and the numbers show it:
- A batting average of .175
- Six home runs
- -1.0 WAR
- Three hits and two RBIs in the postseason
- A .200 batting average and .450 OPS over five playoff games
These numbers are far below expectations for someone brought in to power the lineup. His defensive work looked steady at times, but the absences and lack of production dragged down his overall impact.
Impact on the Blue Jays’ Postseason Strategy
Toronto is now missing two vital pieces — Santander in the outfield and Bichette at shortstop with a knee sprain. The team has to lean heavily on depth options and the adaptability of whoever’s left to fill big gaps in the lineup.
Offensive consistency might end up being their biggest challenge, especially with elite postseason pitching on the other side. Joey Loperfido’s addition brings a bit of intrigue.
He’s untested in playoff action, but his minor league numbers are promising, especially his knack for getting on base and coming up with extra-base hits. How quickly he adjusts to the postseason atmosphere could shape Toronto’s offense for the rest of the ALCS.
Blue Jays’ Path Forward Without Santander
For John Schneider and his staff, the focus shifts to making the most of what’s left. Aggressive bullpen moves, strategic pinch-hitting, and defensive shuffles will be crucial to balancing the roster’s needs.
The ALCS still offers a shot at something big, but without two key players, the Blue Jays have to count on adaptability and some unlikely heroes to keep their championship hopes alive.
Final Thoughts
From the moment Santander inked his high-profile deal, expectations soared. Injuries, though, have spun a very different tale in 2025.
Toronto now finds itself in a precarious postseason spot. This roster shake-up just proves how much playoff baseball depends on health and endurance, not just raw talent.
Injury setbacks are part of the game, but the timing of Santander’s exit couldn’t be worse. For Toronto, the only real option is to survive, adapt, and keep swinging.
Here is the source article for this story: Blue Jays plan to remove Anthony Santander from playoff roster, pending MLB approval: Sources
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