Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Anthony Santander is set to miss a significant portion of the 2026 Major League Baseball season due to upcoming surgery, according to team officials who made the announcement on Tuesday. Manager John Schneider informed the press that Santander will undergo surgery on his left labrum on Wednesday, which will result in him being sidelined for an estimated five to six months. The team is hopeful that Santander will make a return as soon as possible to contribute during the latter part of the season.
Santander, a switch-hitting player, had previously signed a lucrative five-year contract worth $92.5 million with the Blue Jays prior to the 2025 season. Injuries had limited his appearances on the field in 2025, although he managed to feature in 54 regular season games and five postseason games for Toronto.
With Santander out of action, the Blue Jays will rely on their depth of outfielders to step up and fill the void. General manager Ross Atkins expressed confidence in the team’s ability to handle setbacks effectively.
In addition to Santander’s injury, it was also revealed that pitcher Bowden Francis will undergo UCL reconstruction surgery, causing him to miss the entire 2026 season. Francis, who started several games for the Blue Jays in the past two seasons, will be a notable absence from the team’s pitching rotation.
Furthermore, starting pitcher Shane Bieber is facing a delayed start to his season preparations due to right forearm fatigue. Bieber, a former Cy Young Award winner, underwent Tommy John surgery in 2024 and is expected to be a key contributor once he is fully ready.
The Blue Jays are gearing up for their 50th season in Major League Baseball with high expectations from fans after a strong performance last season. The team has made some significant roster changes, including new signings like Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce, as they aim to make another push for a World Series appearance. Despite some departures, the Blue Jays remain focused on their goal of achieving success in the upcoming season.