Jays’ Santander expected to miss five to six months after shoulder surgery

Toronto Blue Jays' Anthony Santander calls to the first base umpire during second inning MLB baseball action against the Boston Red Sox in Toronto on Wednesday September 24, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

DUNEDIN — Outfielder Anthony Santander of the Toronto Blue Jays will have labrum surgery on his left shoulder and is expected to miss five to six months of the 2026 season, manager John Schneider announced Tuesday.

Schneider provided the update when he met with reporters. But the bad news didn’t stop there.

Right-hander Shane Bieber is dealing with forearm fatigue and won’t be ready to begin the season. Right-hander Bowden Francis will miss all of 2026 after undergoing UCL reconstruction surgery.

Santander is entering his second season with Toronto after signing a US$92.5-million, five-year deal in free agency last year. He played in just 54 games during the season, hitting .175 with six home runs and 18 runs-batted in.

He appeared in five playoff games and was placed on Toronto’s American League Championship Series roster with a back injury.

In 2024, Santander had 44 homers and 102 runs-batted in — both career highs — with the Baltimore Orioles.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 10, 2026