“I Really Miss the Feeling of Standing on the Field”: After 79-Game Absence, Anthony Santander’s Recovery Progress Raises Hopes for Blue Jays Fans
The Toronto Blue Jays have played nearly 80 games in the 2026 season without one of the offensive cornerstones they expected to anchor their lineup. Outfielder Anthony Santander has remained on the injured list since before Opening Day, sidelined by left shoulder surgery performed in February. The extended absence has been difficult for the player and the organization, yet recent developments have introduced a more optimistic tone around his eventual return.
General manager Ross Atkins stated this week that Santander has turned a corner in his recovery during the last couple of weeks. The club is now optimistic that he will return to baseball activities in the near future. Progress from this point will be guided by how his shoulder responds once he begins swinging a bat again.
Manager John Schneider confirmed that Santander is scheduled to resume hitting as soon as next week. Schneider emphasized that the veteran is highly attuned to his own physical condition. Reaching the stage where hitting can begin again represents a meaningful step forward and suggests the shoulder is feeling stable enough to tolerate increased demands.
Santander underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder after experiencing a setback during his offseason rehabilitation. Initial medical estimates placed his recovery at five to six months, a window that always pointed toward a possible mid-to-late summer return provided there were no further complications. The current trajectory appears consistent with that original framework.
The 31-year-old switch-hitter arrived in Toronto on a five-year, $92.5 million contract signed before the 2025 season. Expectations were high after he belted 44 home runs for the Baltimore Orioles in 2024. Instead, shoulder issues limited him to just 54 games last year, during which he batted .175 with six home runs and a .577 OPS. A strong finish to 2025 and a clean offseason were supposed to set the stage for a bounce-back campaign.
Persistent problems in the shoulder forced another extended period away from the field. The latest surgery and rehabilitation have kept him out of all 2026 action so far. Despite the frustration of another lost stretch of games, those close to the situation have noted Santander’s steady commitment to doing the work required to get back on the diamond.
The most recent medical updates represent the brightest developments since the surgery. Atkins’ comments about turning a corner and the team’s optimism reflect measurable improvement in the shoulder’s condition. Schneider’s confirmation that hitting will resume soon adds concrete detail to the timeline that had previously remained somewhat vague.
Even after hitting begins, Santander faces a lengthy progression before he can be activated. He will need to accumulate a full spring-training equivalent of at-bats to restore timing, strength, and confidence at the plate. A minor-league rehabilitation assignment is expected to form part of that process, allowing him to face live pitching in controlled environments before returning to the major-league roster.
An August return would still leave Santander with roughly two months of the regular season plus any potential postseason games. His presence in the lineup or as designated hitter would immediately add proven power and run-production potential that has been missing for most of the year. The Blue Jays have relied on other outfielders to fill the void, but Santander’s left-handed bat and ability to drive the ball remain unique assets.
Shoulder injuries are particularly challenging for hitters because the joint is central to generating bat speed and maintaining swing mechanics. The cautious approach adopted by the medical staff and coaching staff reflects an understanding that rushing the process could lead to setbacks. The organization appears committed to letting the recovery dictate the pace rather than external timelines.
Santander has previously spoken about his determination to return to the field with his teammates. That underlying motivation has been evident throughout his rehabilitation, even during the most difficult stretches. The latest positive reports have given fans additional reason to believe that desire will soon translate into on-field action.
For supporters who have waited through months of limited information, the combination of Atkins’ optimistic assessment and Schneider’s confirmation that hitting will start next week provides tangible encouragement. The long absence has tested patience, yet the current momentum suggests the end of the recovery tunnel is coming into view.
The Blue Jays will continue to monitor every phase of Santander’s progression closely. How he responds to the resumption of swinging will determine whether the August window remains realistic or requires slight adjustment. The organization has made clear that protecting the player’s long-term health remains the priority over any short-term roster needs.
Santander’s eventual return would mark the end of one of the more frustrating chapters in his Toronto tenure. It would also offer the club a potential offensive lift during the second half of the season. While nothing is guaranteed until he is back in uniform and producing, the latest updates have shifted the conversation from extended absence to measured hope.
As the calendar advances deeper into June, attention now turns to the next milestone: Santander taking his first swings since surgery. Positive reports from those sessions could accelerate preparation for a rehabilitation assignment. Any sign of discomfort would likely slow the process, as has been the case throughout his recovery.
The 79-game absence has been one of the longest and most challenging periods of Santander’s career. The resilience he has shown and the recent medical progress reported by the front office have combined to create renewed optimism that one of the team’s most important offensive pieces could soon be contributing again on the field.