How has Anthony Santander fared in Buffalo rehab starts so far?

After three solid seasons as a member of the Baltimore Orioles from 2022-2024, Anthony Santander was one of the biggest free agents this past offseason. Eager to add a big bat to the lineup, the Toronto Blue Jays signed Anthony Santander to a five-year contract.

However, Santander hasn't quite lived up to his contract, batting .179 while hitting six home runs and having a .579 OPS in 50 games played for the Blue Jays in 2025. To make things worse Santander has dealt with a shoulder and back injury, and has been out of the Blue Jays lineup since May 30.

The 2025 Blue Jays regular season is winding down with the team pursuing a division title without Santander in the lineup. Recently, Santander has been making rehab starts in Triple-A with the Buffalo Bisons.

Santander has been steady in rehab starts with the Bisons

In his first rehab start in Buffalo on Sept. 11, Santander made a solid first impression, hitting a home run against the Rochester Red Wings. Santander also reached base safely by drawing two walks in the same game.

Sept. 11 marked the first time since 2019 in which Santander played in a Triple-A game. On Tuesday, Santander got to play in front of a home crowd in Buffalo for the first time at Sahlen Field.

Prior to that game Santander had recorded three hits in 14 at bats with four walks drawn in his rehab starts. The Bisons began a six-game home stand yesterday against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders to close out the 2025 season.

Before Tuesday's game, Bisons manager Casey Candaele spoke about Santander through his first four games in Buffalo. Candaele said that Santander "feels great" and his at bats are getting better." Candaele also spoke highly of his leadership as a former MLB All-Star, "It's always good for younger players to talk to and sit with him and play with him," Candaele said. "So, it's good."

Candaele made no comment whether or not Santander will be ready to return to the Blue Jays lineup if the team makes the 2025 MLB Postseason. Candaele had Santander bat second in the Bisons lineup as the designated hitter in Tuesday's's game.

RailRiders pitcher Allan Winans had a perfect game in the fourth inning against Buffalo. Then, Santander delivered a one-out single to break up Winan's perfect game.

In the end, the Bisons fell 3-1 to the RailRiders at Sahlen Field. Overall, Santander went 1-5 in the loss. Santander's biggest moment of the game was when Buffalo was trailing 3-1 in the bottom of the seventh inning with two outs. Santander had the bases loaded to start a Buffalo rally. However, Santander struck out to end the inning. Then in the ninth inning, Santander struck out to end the game.

When healthy and on his game, Santander is one of the best power hitters in baseball and he's making some progress in Buffalo. The Blue Jays are hoping that Santander is getting familiar with hitting the baseball again, and that he could be a potential option to have in the lineup if the team secures a spot in the 2025 MLB Postseason.