Blue Jays outfielder expresses frustration on latest injury setback

Spring Training opened up with a shock that rattled the Toronto Blue Jays' fanbase with the news of outfielder Anthony Santander being out for 5-6 months after undergoing left labral surgery. In what would've been a significant piece to the lineup after the departure of Bo Bichette and failing to sign Kyle Tucker, Santander's absence forces the Blue Jays to get creative with their lineup.

As disappointing as the news is, especially since everyone was hoping he'd have a bounce back year after a miserable 2025, nobody is more confused and frustrated than Santander himself.

Anthony Santander expresses frustration on latest injury setback

Speaking with the media on Wednesday, February 18, Santander noted that his 2025 MRIs did not reveal the full extent of the shoulder injury he sustained. Instead, his training in January was marked by a recurrence of the pain, as the MRIs revealed the full extent of the injury.

"It's not easy to deal with something like this. I mean, injuries, things that you cannot control, right?" said Santander (via Mitch Bannon on X). "Obviously, me as a ball player, coming here to a new team, signing my contract, I want to be there with the guys every day. But, unfortunately, things happen. They're not under your control. I mean, somepeople think differently, but I know who I am. I know I'm trying my best to be on the field with my teammates."

Santander signed a five-year, $95 million deal before the 2025 season. Since he signed his deal, the one-time All-Star only appeared in 54 games, where he hit just six home runs and knocked in 18 RBIs. Santander returned to the lineup for the 2025 Postseason run, where he appeared in the ALDS and ALCS. After Game 3 of the ALCS, Santander was sidelined with the same shoulder injury, ending his 2025 campaign.

Now, with the anticipated 5-6 months' absence, it'll most likely mean another 125-130 games missed, depending on how soon he can return. Regardless, by the time he returns, he'll be close to essentially missing an entire season's worth of games, and that's the value the Blue Jays could not afford to lose.

In response to Santander's injury, the Blue Jays traded Joey Loperfido to the Houston Astros for Jesus Sanchez. With Santander out for the foreseeable future, the Blue Jays will most likely continue to flex their bench depth with the likes of Sanchez, Davis Schneider, Nathan Lukes, and Myles Straw to fill the outfield gap Santander leaves. If there's a time to test out different lineups and defensive positioning, it's Spring Training, as games get underway this weekend.