The Toronto Blue Jays announced that outfielder Anthony Santander has been placed on the 10-day injured list due to inflammation in his left shoulder. To fill the roster spot, the team has recalled outfielder Alan Roden from their Triple-A affiliate Buffalo Bisons. This move comes as the Blue Jays hope to address some ongoing concerns related to Santander’s recent performance and health.
Santander’s Performance Has Fallen Short of Expectations
Signed to a five-year, $92.5 million contract during the offseason, Santander represented the Blue Jays’ largest offseason acquisition aimed at rebounding from a disappointing 2024. However, his production has not matched the investment. He has struggled at the plate with a .179/.273/.304 slash line, accompanied by six home runs, an 11.5% walk rate, and a high 26.3% strikeout rate. These statistics translate into a weighted Runs Created Plus (wRC+) of 67, meaning Santander has been 33% below the league average hitter.
His ability to make quality contact has diminished significantly. While last year he barreled balls at an 11.7% rate, this season that figure has dropped to just 4.6%. Additionally, his hard-hit rate of 40.8% marks his lowest since 2020, indicating he may have been playing through discomfort. Manager John Schneider referred to Santander’s shoulder as “a little cranky” around May 10th, and the outfielder has also dealt with hip soreness this month, further affecting his performance.
Expectations vs. Reality: Santander’s Recent Struggles Compared to Past Success
In 2023, Santander posted a strong campaign with the Baltimore Orioles, hitting 44 home runs, maintaining a 19.4% strikeout rate, and an 8.7% walk rate. His overall numbers included a .235/.308/.506 line and a 129 wRC+, a level of offensive production the Blue Jays had anticipated when signing him. Yet, so far this season, he has fallen well short of those marks, raising concerns about his health and ability to contribute as expected.
Alan Roden Rejoins the Blue Jays’ Outfield Group amid Competition
Roden, who initially made Toronto’s Opening Day roster, struggled early with a .178/.262/.260 batting line through his first 84 major league plate appearances before being sent to Buffalo. There, he has thrived, putting up impressive numbers with a .361/.446/.583 slash line for the Bisons. Alongside Jorge Springer, Daulton Varsho, Nathan Lukes, Jonatan Clase, and Myles Straw, Roden now joins a competitive group vying for playing time in the outfield corners and the designated hitter role.
Future Outlook for the Blue Jays’ Outfield and Santander’s Recovery
With Anthony Santander placed on the injured list, the Blue Jays are hoping that rest and treatment will resolve his shoulder issues and help him regain the form he showed during his peak seasons. The team’s outfield depth is being tested, and Alan Roden’s recent performance in Buffalo provides a potential boost. As the Blue Jays work to stabilize their lineup, Santander’s recovery and return will be closely watched to assess whether he can fulfill the promise of his lucrative contract and support the team’s ambitions for the season.