Toronto Blue Jays receive important injury update on Anthony Santander
|
Victor William
Jan 31, 2026 (10:31)
|
|
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
While everyone is panicking about the lack of a "new" power bat, MLB insiders are screaming that a healthy Anthony Santander is the upgrade we forgot we already had.
It is easy to get distracted by shiny new free agents, but the return of the "Agua Blanca" slugger to full strength might be the most critical development of the entire offseason.
Jon Morosi of MLB Network just dropped a truth bomb that should have every Blue Jays fan nodding in agreement: a healthy Santander completely transforms this lineup.
Anthony Santander (Rule 5 Draft Pick, 2016 by Orioles) was a shell of himself in 2025.
Shoulder and back injuries limited him to just 54 games, where he hit a forgettable .175 with 6 homers.
But let’s not suffer from recency bias.
This is the same guy who mashed 44 home runs in 2024 and drove in 102 runs for an Orioles team that won the division.
If he is truly back to 100%, as reports indicate, the middle of the order suddenly looks lethal again.
The "Addition by Subtraction" of injury
The ripple effect of his return is massive.
If Santander can play 100+ games in right field, it allows George Springer to slide into the DH spot more often, keeping his legs fresh for the entire season.
It creates a "pick your poison" scenario for pitchers: pitch around Vladdy, and you have to deal with a switch-hitter who has 30+ homer power from both sides of the plate.
We saw what the lineup looked like without him—it was thin, predictable, and relied too heavily on perfect pitching.
Getting his bat back is like signing a $30 million free agent without spending a dime.
The front office bet $92.5 million on him for a reason.
Now, it is time to cash in that ticket.
If he bounces back, the AL East isn't ready for this offense.
Also read on Toronto Baseball Insider :
Former Blue Jays pitcher finds new home with the Milwaukee Brewers
Former Blue Jays pitcher finds new home with the Milwaukee Brewers