The Toronto Blue Jays enter the 2026 campaign as the reigning AL East and American League champions, determined to overcome the heartbreak of losing both Game 6 and Game 7 of the World Series at home, despite leading in the final inning of Game 7. While they’ve lost Bo Bichette to free agency, the team remains largely intact and strong heading into the new season.
However, early setbacks emerged after spring training when manager John Schneider revealed that outfielder and designated hitter Anthony Santander will require surgery on his left shoulder labrum, sidelining him for five to six months. Santander, 31, inked a five-year, $92.5 million deal with Toronto last offseason but struggled during his first year, posting a .175/.271/.294 slash line with a negative WAR in just 54 games due to two stints on the injured list caused by left shoulder inflammation.
Despite a disappointing debut season, the Blue Jays had hoped Santander would fill some of the offensive gaps left by Bichette’s departure. Unfortunately, his absence means the team won’t benefit from his bat until midseason. To help compensate, they signed third baseman Kazuma Okamoto from Japan and plan to rely more on players like Nathan Lucas and Davis Schneider. Both Lucas, who bats left-handed, and Schneider, right-handed, could step into Santander’s roles, while center fielder Dalton Varsho, who missed much of last year with injuries, could also contribute more.
While Santander’s injury is a blow, the Blue Jays still have several options to mitigate the impact of losing Bichette and are positioned to maintain a competitive roster. Last season, Toronto edged out the Yankees in a tiebreaker for the AL East title, with both teams finishing 94-68, setting the stage for another heated rivalry. Baseball Prospectus is set to release its PECOTA projections soon, anticipating another tight race for division supremacy.
Fan Take: This setback for Anthony Santander is a tough blow for Blue Jays fans eagerly expecting continued offensive dominance, but the team’s depth and strategic signings show resilience. For baseball lovers, it underscores how injuries and roster moves can dramatically shift the landscape and keep divisional battles exciting year after year.
