Anthony Santander's rehab has John Schneider talking August, and that puts a real trade-deadline decision back on Toronto's desk.
That's the angle now. Santander is not close enough to count on yet, but he is far enough along to make the Blue Jays think twice about buying another middle-order bat.
Schneider said Santander could resume hitting “either this weekend or next,” with a full spring-training-style buildup still ahead of him. He also said there is “a shot” the outfielder could “definitely be a factor.”
That sounds encouraging until you get to the calendar. Toronto has to make trade calls before the August 3 deadline, while Santander is still trying to restart baseball activity.
And that's where the risk shows up. If the Blue Jays trust the rehab and pass on a bat, they could be left waiting on a player who has barely been on the field since signing his 5-year, $92 million deal before 2025.
Santander has played only 54 regular-season games for Toronto, and this season he has been sidelined by shoulder surgery. That is not enough certainty for a club still trying to sharpen its lineup for the stretch.
Santander's progress helps, but it should not stop Toronto
A healthy Santander is still the exact kind of hitter this roster needs. He topped 28 home runs in each of the previous 3 seasons before 2026, including 44 with Baltimore in 2024.
But the Blue Jays cannot shop for the best-case version of him. They have to plan around the version that hit 6 home runs in 54 games last year and is still a long way from game speed.
The power issue is real enough that the article points directly to it as a deadline need, even with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and George Springer still capable of carrying more of the load.
That makes Santander less of an answer and more of a complication. His return could help solve a roster problem later, but it should not be the reason Toronto ducks a needed move right now.
This front office can live with having too many bats if Santander comes back strong. It is much harder to live with a quiet lineup in August because the club bet on rehab timing instead of real production.
So yes, Santander gives the Blue Jays something to consider. He just should not give them cover to stand still.
Should the Blue Jays still add a bat even with Anthony Santander progressing?
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