Blue Jays 2026 lineup already coming into focus in wake of Anthony Santander injury

On Tuesday, the Toronto Blue Jays were dealt a huge blow when they learned that star slugger Anthony Santander will be on the mend once again as he will undergo shoulder surgery which will put him out of action for five to six months. The injury update came at the same time as the announcements that pitcher Bowden Francis will miss the entire 2026 season due to UCL reconstructive surgery and that Shane Bieber will not be ready for Opening Day due to forearm fatigue, giving the Blue Jays a triple whammy before spring training even started.

But more importantly, the Santander injury actually had a trickle down effect on the rest of the Blue Jays roster in terms of how certain players will be deployed for the upcoming season. After all, the 31-year-old was expected to play a lot in a potential bounce back healthy campaign with Toronto this year. Instead, it appears as though the Blue Jays 2026 lineup is inadvertently coming into focus as a fallout of Santander’s unfortunate news.

Blue Jays 2026 lineup already coming into focus in wake of Anthony Santander injury

According to Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet, Jays manager John Schneider already has a preliminary plan for his lineup deployment going forward. He intends to use Addison Barger in right field with Davis Schneider and Nathan Lukes sharing a platoon in left field.

Prior to injury announcement, Schneider and Lukes were expected to be a huge part of the Blue Jays bench posse. So instead, they will be vital in sharing a starting role until Santander returns, if that even happens. As for Barger, he could have provided some lineup flexibility with his ability to play both at third and in right field. But with Santander out long term, the Blue Jays need a permanent fixture in a corner outfield spot. With Barger’s strong play in right field last season, it’s a no-brainer that he gets that honour.

In doing so, the Blue Jays manager also stated that it meant new Blue Jay Kazuma Okamoto will primarily man third base instead of experimenting him in a utility role. He will also get the occasional start at first when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. needs a rest in the field. Moreover, Okamoto will now be counted upon more than ever to help fill some of the offensive void left by Santander. In addition, Ernie Clement will be getting most of the starts at second base now since Davis Schneider will likely be focusing on his outfield assignment in left field.

In effect, the overall lineup setup now could end up being both favourable and unfavourable for the Blue Jays. In being given a fixed assignment for the 2026 season, it allows the players to get comfortable with their positions and spots in the lineup, which is usually important for consistency and sustainable performance.

At the same time, it takes away the ample flexibility that manager Schneider had been used to in forming his lineups, an effective forumula that paid off during the 2025 campaign. Nevertheless, Toronto will have to make the best out of the situation with the hand that they have been suddenly dealt after experiencing the injury bombshell that came out of nowhere.