The Toronto Blue Jays have placed outfielder Anthony Santander on the 10-day injured list due to left shoulder inflammation. To fill the gap, the team has recalled fellow outfielder Alan Roden.
Santander, who was signed to a substantial five-year, $92.5 million contract during the offseason, has not yet delivered on expectations this season. So far, he has managed to hit six home runs, coupled with an 11.5% walk rate; however, his performance has been hindered by a high strikeout rate of 26.3% and a disappointing batting line of .179/.273/.304. These numbers translate to a 67 wRC+, indicating his struggles at the plate – he has been 33% less productive than the average hitter.
Concerns regarding Santander’s performance have been compounded by his unusually low .218 batting average on balls in play. He is also generating less power compared to previous seasons, with his rate of barreling pitches dropping from 11.7% last year to just 4.6% this year. A hard-hit rate of 40.8% marks his lowest since 2020, raising questions about his overall health. Earlier this month, he experienced hip soreness and was out of the lineup due to shoulder discomfort, which suggests he may have been battling injuries for an extended period.
Team management is hopeful that this period of rest will allow Santander to recuperate and return to his previous form. Last season, he showcased his potential by hitting 44 home runs with a much improved strikeout rate of 19.4%, leading to a .235/.308/.506 batting line and a solid 129 wRC+. The Blue Jays were likely expecting similar production from him this year.
In the meantime, the team has George Springer and Daulton Varsho solidifying other outfield spots, while Nathan Lukes, Jonatan Clase, and Myles Straw are also in contention for playing time. Alan Roden, who initially struggled with a .178/.262/.260 line in his first 84 appearances, has been excelling in Buffalo with a robust .361/.446/.583 performance, boosting his chances to make a more significant impact in the coming games.
The Blue Jays are optimistic that with the right adjustments, both Santander’s health and performance will improve, allowing him to contribute meaningfully to the team as they strive to recover from a challenging season.