Blue Jays Place Anthony Santander on 10-Day Injured List with Shoulder Inflammation

The Toronto Blue Jays are facing significant challenges with Anthony Santander, their high-profile offseason signing, who has been placed on the 10-day injured list due to left shoulder inflammation. Santander, who signed a five-year, $92.5 million contract to add power to the Blue Jays' lineup, has struggled profoundly, hitting only six home runs with an underwhelming .315 slugging percentage and a .189 batting average early in the season. Injuries to his shoulder and hip have limited his ability to make "big swings," which has negatively impacted his power production, a key reason the team acquired him. Despite the Blue Jays' hopes that players like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and George Springer can compensate, Santander's continued slump threatens to stall the team's offensive momentum as they hover near .500. Manager John Schneider has been forced to adjust the roster, bringing up Alan Roden and relying on Ernie Clement as a temporary designated hitter while Santander recovers. The Blue Jays' future success may depend on Santander regaining his offensive form, or else the team may need to reconsider his role given the significant investment and current lack of return.