Blue Jays Activate Anthony Santander, Cut Alek Manoah from Roster

The Toronto Blue Jays made some pretty big roster moves this week as they head into the final stretch of the regular season. They shook up their lineup and pitching staff, hoping to lock down the AL East crown.

On Tuesday, the club activated outfielder Anthony Santander from the 60-day injured list. Former All-Star pitcher Alek Manoah got designated for assignment to clear space on the 40-man roster.

First baseman Ty France also landed on the 10-day injured list with an oblique injury. These changes happened alongside a 4-1 loss to the Boston Red Sox at Rogers Centre.

The bigger story, though, is about Toronto trying to position itself for October baseball. There’s a lot riding on these last few games.

Anthony Santander’s Return Could Bolster Blue Jays’ Offense

After sitting out since May 29 with a left shoulder injury, Anthony Santander is finally back. The slugging outfielder signed a five-year, $92.5 million deal with Toronto in the offseason, and expectations have been sky-high after his monster 2023 with Baltimore.

Santander’s Struggles and Expectations

This year hasn’t exactly gone to plan for Santander. Before his injury, he was hitting just .179 with six home runs in 50 games—well below the level that earned him his first All-Star nod last year.

During his final season in Baltimore, the 29-year-old put up career highs: 44 home runs, 102 RBIs, and 91 runs scored. Toronto hopes his return can spark a late-season surge at the plate.

With the Blue Jays holding the best record in the American League at 90-66, Santander’s return gives the lineup another potential weapon. His power and knack for driving in runs could make a difference in tight postseason matchups.

Alek Manoah’s Surprising Departure

In one of the more unexpected moves, Toronto designated Alek Manoah for assignment. He was once a rising star and a Cy Young finalist in 2022, but the past two seasons have been rough.

From Ace to Question Mark

The 26-year-old had been rehabbing from elbow surgery this year and pitching well in Triple-A Buffalo, posting a 2.97 ERA over seven starts. But after his spectacular 2022, things unraveled in 2023—he even got sent down to rookie ball at one point.

Inconsistent results at the major league level forced the Blue Jays into a tough spot, and now his DFA might give him a shot with another club. Toronto’s making it clear they want players who can help right now.

Injury Setback for Ty France

Toronto’s lineup also takes a hit with Ty France going on the 10-day injured list for left oblique inflammation, retroactive to Monday. Oblique injuries are tricky and can linger if not managed carefully, so his absence is a real concern for the Jays at first base.

Impact on the Lineup

France’s steady bat and glove have meant a lot, and replacing him won’t be easy. The club has some positional depth, but losing a key corner infielder this late adds pressure on the offense to step up.

Playoff Positioning in Focus

With just a handful of regular-season games left, Toronto’s main goal is to solidify the AL East title and snag the best possible postseason seed. Even after Tuesday’s 4-1 home loss to Boston, the Blue Jays still hold a strong position thanks to their league-leading record.

The Road Ahead

Toronto’s playoff readiness will depend on a few things, like:

• How quickly Anthony Santander can get his power swing back
• Whether the pitching staff can handle Manoah’s absence without missing a beat
• Who steps up to cover for Ty France’s injury

As October approaches, the Blue Jays are betting that bringing Santander back now is worth the risk, even if it shakes up the roster a bit. Every decision feels heavier with the postseason looming, and Toronto’s not hesitating to make bold moves.

For fans, all this just drives home how September baseball is about more than what happens on the field. It’s a chess match with the roster, too, and honestly, the pressure’s on for everyone—whether they’re just coming back or filling in.

 
Here is the source article for this story: First-place Jays activate Santander, cut Manoah