Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Anthony Santander is “making progress” in his recovery from left labrum surgery, manager John Schneider told reporters on Friday.
Santander has begun hitting off a tee at the team’s player development complex in Florida as he continues to work his way back to game action after having the operation in February.
The 31-year-old switch hitter was placed on the 60-day injured list on March 25 and was given an initial return timeline of five-to-six months.
MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson reported last month that Santander received a cortisone shot after he “felt something” in his surgically repaired shoulder.
The Margarita, Venezuela native has played in just 54 games for the Blue Jays since signing a lucrative five-year, $92.5 million deal in free agency ahead of the 2025 season.
An All-Star with the Baltimore Orioles in 2024, Santander slashed just .175/.271/.294 with six home runs and 18 RBI in a 2025 campaign marred by shoulder inflammation.
He missed three months of action, but returned for the final two series of the regular season ahead of the playoffs.
Santander played in five playoff games before being removed from the ALCS roster with back inflammation.
Schneider also offered an update on reliever Yimi Garcia, who like Santander, has yet to feature for the Blue Jays in 2026.
Garcia was diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome last week, but the team has yet to determine treatment for the right-hander, Schneider said via The Athletic’s Mitch Bannon.
Garcia, an impending free agent, has made just 22 appearances for Toronto over the past two years, carrying an ERA of 3.86 in 21.0 innings pitched.
