Latest news with #AnthonySantander
Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Why waiting for Anthony Santander hasn't been a losing game for the Blue Jays
The Blue Jays ' biggest free-agent signing of the winter has been absent throughout almost their entire climb to first place, and it doesn't look as though he's going to be back any time soon. Anthony Santander — signed to a five-year, $92.5-million (U.S.) contract in January to provide power in the middle of the order — is back in Toronto and had his wonky shoulder examined by team doctors on the weekend. The verdict: Let's wait awhile. 'He's still going to be a couple of weeks away from hitting,' manager John Schneider said before the Jays opened a three-game series against the New York Yankees with a 4-1 win Monday night . '(We'll) evaluate him week by week to see when that does start.' In other words, it's going to be a long time before the Jays get the switch-hitter back. Though, to be fair, they haven't missed him at all. Quite the opposite, in fact. Santander suffered a subluxation of his left shoulder when he went into the wall in Anaheim, chasing a Jo Adell fly ball in an 8-5 win over the Los Angeles Angels on May 8 . He missed three games, watching the Jays sweep the Seattle Mariners, then returned to go 5-for-41 with one home run and 19 strikeouts before shutting it down on May 29. With the 30-year-old slugger on the injured list, the Jays have gone 31-13, the best record in the American League . Still, the Jays say they can't wait to get him back. 'We want to have the option of having him, obviously. It's just worked out to where it hasn't been as quick as we, or he, had hoped' said Schneider. 'You feel good about the contributions of guys that have been here, but a player like him and what he can add, you don't want to slow-play it. You want to try to get it fixed as quickly as you can.' Before Santander got hurt, he was hitting just .196 with five home runs in 36 games . He was starting to come around, though , with multi-hit games in three of his last five, posting an .875 on-base-plus-slugging percentage over that span. The shoulder injury dulled whatever momentum was starting to build for a player who is a notorious slow starter . Trying to play through the injury didn't help, either. And as Santander continued to struggle while playing hurt, he tried to do more physically — more work in the batting cage, more out on the field to try to snap out of it — and that likely made things a lot worse. Coming off a career-high 44 home runs in 2024 with the Baltimore Orioles, Santander was supposed to be the power bat the Jays had been sorely lacking pretty much since Teoscar Hernández was traded away following the 2022 season . He only hit four home runs in April, but didn't hit his fifth home run last year until May 5, so it didn't seem like that big a deal. As the weather heats up, so does the big slugger, but this year he never got the chance. Addison Barger did, though . When Santander hurt his shoulder, Barger was hitting .171 and scuffling for playing time , starting about every other day. The injury opened the door to more playing time and young Bam-Bam barged right through it by going 6-for-13 with three doubles and a home run in the Seattle sweep. Since then, the 25-year-old has belted 13 dingers and posted an .878 OPS, providing everything the Jays had hoped Santander would with the bat and doing much more defensively, in right field and at third base. In addition, Barger's emergence has allowed George Springer to spend a lot of time off his feet . Springer started at designated hitter 16 times before Santander went on the injured list, or 31 per cent of his games. Since Santander has gone down, Springer has been the DH two-thirds of the time (27 of 41 games). No doubt that has kept the 35-year-old fresh in this resurgent season in which he leads the Jays with 17 home runs. The Jays aren't saying Santander is done for the year, though he hasn't swung a bat in over a month and there's still inflammation in his shoulder. If he can get healthy, he could help down the stretch, but they've been more than fine without him.
Toronto Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Is Anthony Santander's first season as a Blue Jay teetering on the edge?
Get the latest from Rob Longley straight to your inbox Anthony Santander of the Toronto Blue Jays. Getty Images It's difficult to be both the forgotten man and the $92.5-million man brought in to provide explosive offence. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account But that's where the Blue Jays find themselves with Anthony Santander, the slugger they signed to a free agent contract in January, and now a veteran whose season is teetering on being a lost one. Jays manager John Schneider provided an update on the injured designated hitter/outfielder on Monday prior to the opening game of a three-game series against the New York Yankees. And as you might expect given Santander's long and frustrating absence from the team, it wasn't pretty. 'He's still a couple of weeks away from hitting and we'll kind of evaluate him week to week to see when that does start,' Schneider said of Santander, who has rejoined the team in Toronto for more medical attention during this home stand, which began with a three-game sweep of the San Francisco Giants over the weekend. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Schneider didn't need to say much more than that, truthfully. If the personable Santander is still a couple of weeks away from hitting, then he's a couple of weeks away from being ready to play and then another week, potentially, of rehab games before he could even be considered ready to play in a big-league game. In other words, the math doesn't look good. And then there's the issue of how you deal with Santander when (if?) he is ready? Prior to Monday's game, the 30-year-old had been on the injured list for 43 games with what the team lists as shoulder inflammation. During his absence, of course, the Jays have been on fire, running off a 30-13 record and storming into first place in the American League East. So where exactly would he fit in the lineup given that prior to the injury, Santander was struggling at the plate, initially excused by the fact he has been a notoriously slow starter in his career. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'He's disappointed,' Schneider said. 'It's bad timing, first year here and all that kind of stuff. He's frustrated, but happy with the way we are playing and (we're) happy to have him back around.' For the longest time, the Jays were vexed with what was happening with Santander, a situation that continues on some level. Schneider said on Monday that he believes the guy who banged out 42 home runs for the Baltimore Orioles last season may have been compromised by trying to play through an injury originally sustained when he crashed hard into an outfield wall in Anaheim. 'I think it was the initial injury in Anaheim and playing through it and not getting the results he wanted,' the manager said. 'Doing a lot physically probably made it worse.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Even though the short-term prognosis is still gloomy, Schneider said the Jays are still hopeful they'll get Santander sorted and back in the lineup at some point. 'We want to have the option of having him, obviously,' Schneider said. 'It's kind of worked out to be not as quick as we or he would have hoped. A player like him and what he can add, you don't want to slow-play it. 'I definitely hope (the season being over) is not the outcome. I think you have to plan as we've been planning. You want him to get back and you want him to be in the lineup whenever that is. Definitely have not pulled him out yet for the season.' And left unsaid: Definitely understanding that the team isn't close to being free of employing contingencies for his absence, one in which the team has seen so many others seize the opportunity and help make the Jays a first-place team. 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National Post
3 days ago
- Sport
- National Post
Is Anthony Santander's first season as a Blue Jay teetering on the edge?
It's difficult to be both the forgotten man and the $92.5-million man brought in to provide explosive offence. Article content But that's where the Blue Jays find themselves with Anthony Santander, the slugger they signed to a free agent contract in January, and now a veteran whose season is teetering on being a lost one. Article content Article content Jays manager John Schneider provided an update on the injured designated hitter/outfielder on Monday prior to the opening game of a three-game series against the New York Yankees. And as you might expect given Santander's long and frustrating absence from the team, it wasn't pretty. Article content Article content 'He's still a couple of weeks away from hitting and we'll kind of evaluate him week to week to see when that does start,' Schneider said of Santander, who has rejoined the team in Toronto for more medical attention during this home stand, which began with a three-game sweep of the San Francisco Giants over the weekend. Article content Schneider didn't need to say much more than that, truthfully. If the personable Santander is still a couple of weeks away from hitting, then he's a couple of weeks away from being ready to play and then another week, potentially, of rehab games before he could even be considered ready to play in a big-league game. Article content In other words, the math doesn't look good. Article content And then there's the issue of how you deal with Santander when (if?) he is ready? Prior to Monday's game, the 30-year-old had been on the injured list for 43 games with what the team lists as shoulder inflammation. Article content During his absence, of course, the Jays have been on fire, running off a 30-13 record and storming into first place in the American League East. So where exactly would he fit in the lineup given that prior to the injury, Santander was struggling at the plate, initially excused by the fact he has been a notoriously slow starter in his career. Article content 'He's disappointed,' Schneider said. 'It's bad timing, first year here and all that kind of stuff. He's frustrated, but happy with the way we are playing and (we're) happy to have him back around.' Article content Article content For the longest time, the Jays were vexed with what was happening with Santander, a situation that continues on some level. Schneider said on Monday that he believes the guy who banged out 42 home runs for the Baltimore Orioles last season may have been compromised by trying to play through an injury originally sustained when he crashed hard into an outfield wall in Anaheim. Article content 'I think it was the initial injury in Anaheim and playing through it and not getting the results he wanted,' the manager said. 'Doing a lot physically probably made it worse.' Article content Even though the short-term prognosis is still gloomy, Schneider said the Jays are still hopeful they'll get Santander sorted and back in the lineup at some point. Article content 'We want to have the option of having him, obviously,' Schneider said. 'It's kind of worked out to be not as quick as we or he would have hoped. A player like him and what he can add, you don't want to slow-play it. Article content 'I definitely hope (the season being over) is not the outcome. I think you have to plan as we've been planning. You want him to get back and you want him to be in the lineup whenever that is. Definitely have not pulled him out yet for the season.' Article content And left unsaid: Definitely understanding that the team isn't close to being free of employing contingencies for his absence, one in which the team has seen so many others seize the opportunity and help make the Jays a first-place team. Article content
National Post
4 days ago
- Sport
- National Post
As momentum keeps building, Blue Jays need to add pitching depth as July 31 trade deadline nears
A defining stretch for the Blue Jays is about to begin as they continue to enjoy the view atop the AL East. Article content Following the team's upcoming three-game series against the visiting Bronx Bombers, the Jays will be in Detroit for a four-game set before heading to Baltimore for a four-game series. Article content Article content By the time the Jays return home on Aug. 1 to play host to the Kansas City, the July 31 trade deadline would have expired. Article content It's no secret the Jays will be buyers as opposed to sellers last season when the team's fortunes were much different and decidedly dour. Article content Pitching remains that elusive element every team covets, especially the Blue Jays, who could use a starter and a high-leverage reliever. Article content Hitting isn't that far behind. Article content An encouraging sign would emerge Sunday when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his first home run since June 29, a blast that came in Boston. Article content The belt did seem to provide a jolt as Vlad Jr. then drove in three runs in the series opener against the Yankees, who were handed a four-game sweep. Article content If history is to be repeated, Vlad Jr. needs to be a presence at the plate. Article content Anthony Santander is back with the team and was in the dugout as he continues to deal with a shoulder injury. Article content Daulton Varsho is making his way back following a hamstring injury. Article content Say what you want about Vlad Jr., but his primary ability has been his availability, which shouldn't be viewed as some game-changing feature because everyone knows he must come at least close to that air carrier status befitting a franchise face. Article content Article content In the 13 games following his three-RBI game against the Yankees heading into the series finale against the San Francisco Giants, Vlad Jr. drove in a combined two runs. Article content Since his homer at Fenway, Vlad Jr. had three total extra-base hits before he took Robbie Ray deep in Sunday's first inning, the first of three home runs the Jays would hit. Article content The way the likes of Bo Bichette, George Springer, who is closing in on last year's home run and RBI numbers, and Addison Barger have been swinging the bat, hitting may not necessarily be among the most pressing issues the team will have to address as the July 31 trade deadline approaches. Article content Vlad Jr. changes the whole dynamic, but he needs to be launching balls and not simply hitting sharply hit balls that excite fans fixated on exit velocity. Article content
National Post
5 days ago
- Sport
- National Post
Will injuries to Yimi Garcia, Anthony Santander impact Blue Jays trade strategy?
Article content First game back from the all-star break and the first order of business for Blue Jays manager John Schneider involved an injury update to the many players felled by various setbacks. Article content It was a laundry list topped off by high-leverage reliever Yimi Garcia and slugger Anthony Santander, whose first season in Toronto is heading toward the abyss. Article content Garcia, who was repatriated this off-season in free agency after the Jays shipped him to Seattle at last year's trade deadline, has been shut down from throwing for a couple of days after experiencing ulnar nerve issues in his right elbow. This came while he was ramping back up from a sprained left ankle sustained when he slipped getting into the hot/cold tubs in the training room on July 5. Article content Article content Earlier in the season, Garcia dealt with a shoulder injury that necessitated a move to the IL. The Jays are keeping their fingers crossed, but any mention of nerve problems in an elbow can't be good. Article content And neither can anything associated with Santander, when one considers he has yet to resume swinging a bat as he deals with a shoulder injury. The big bopper is expected to be in town this weekend as he huddles with the medical staff. Article content A bat in the middle of the order and depth in the bullpen are two areas the Jays must address in the weeks leading up to MLB's trade deadline on July 31. Article content Adding a starting pitcher is also high on the to-do list. Article content It's unknown what impact the crowded injured list will have in the days prior to deadline line. Article content With the San Francisco Giants in town Friday night to begin a three-game series, the Jays were two games clear of the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Article content The Bronx Bombers will be in town for a three-game set Monday after they were unceremoniously swept during a four-game series at Rogers Centre, the first time the Jays had swept the Yankees in a four-game series at home. Article content Article content The Yankees promise to be active in the coming weeks. The injury-riddled Jays have no other choice but to follow suit. Article content As well as Santander and Garcia, RHP Bowden Francis has also been shut down for at least the next 10 days. He experienced shoulder discomfort while ramping back up at the team's player development complex after being placed on the 15-day IL on June 17 because a right shoulder impingement. Article content In 14 starts, Francis went 2-8 with a 6.05 ERA and would likely land in long relief once he returns. Article content No such concern about reliever Ryan Burr, who has been shut down for the rest of the season and is set to undergo right shoulder surgery. Article content Meanwhile, starter Alek Manoah had a tough rehab outing Monday in the Florida Complex League, but he is scheduled to pitch Sunday for the Dunedin Blue Jays with an eye toward pitching two innings. Article content There is a sense of hopeful optimism that Manoah, who underwent UCL reconstruction last season, could return to the big-league stage at some point next month. Article content
