Blue Jays Near Rehab Assignment for Key Slugger Santander

The Toronto Blue Jays are preparing for the potential return of slugger Anthony Santander, who has been sidelined since late May due to a shoulder injury. Santander is expected to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Buffalo as soon as Tuesday, requiring at least five rehab games before rejoining the major league team. He will travel with the Blue Jays to New York this weekend to continue his build-up and get more right-handed reps, with hopes of returning to the Blue Jays lineup before the postseason. Despite a challenging 2025 season marked by a low batting average and limited play, Santander's past performance, including a 2024 All-Star season with the Orioles, suggests his return could provide a significant boost to the team's offense. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays are struggling with bullpen injuries, notably losing reliever Yimi Garcia for the season, which places additional pressure on the offense to perform. Manager John Schneider faces the challenge of finding effective bullpen combinations as the playoffs approach, making Santander's return potentially crucial for the team's postseason aspirations.