Anthony Santander Is Finally Cleared to Swing a Bat. Here’s What That Means for Toronto.

The Blue Jays have been treading water without Anthony Santander in the lineup, and it’s been an ugly stretch. But there’s finally some legitimate good news on the injury front. The 31-year-old outfielder, who had shoulder surgery back in October and has yet to appear in a game this season, is about to take the next big step in his recovery.

Ross Atkins told reporters that Santander has “turned a corner in the last couple weeks” and the team is optimistic he’ll return to baseball activities soon. Ben Nicholson-Smith posted the quote on X, adding that what happens next “will be then dictated on how his recovery is on swinging.” Which is the part that actually matters, right? He can run around all he wants. But until he can take a real cut and not feel like someone jammed a screwdriver into his shoulder, nobody’s getting too excited.

Manager John Schneider confirmed last Thursday that Santander is “due to start hitting next week.” That lines up with the initial timeline of an August return they laid out after the surgery. Santander hasn’t played since October 15, 2025, which is basically a lifetime ago in baseball terms. And it’s not just about getting back on the field. It’s about getting back to being the guy who hit 44 homers in 2024 and was a massive part of Toronto’s lineup.

Schneider also noted that Santander is “very, very aware of how he feels.” That’s the kind of thing you say about a guy who’s been through a long rehab and knows his own body well enough not to push it too soon. The Jays have been careful not to rush him, which is smart. But let’s be real. They could use the bat. The offense has been inconsistent, and having Santander in the middle of the order changes how pitchers attack the rest of the lineup.

The Blue Jays just activated Shane Bieber from the IL, which is a boost for the rotation. But the pitching staff can only do so much if the offense keeps scuffling. Santander’s return — whenever that actually happens — is probably the single biggest thing that could shift the team’s trajectory this season. August might sound far off, but in the grind of a 162-game schedule, it’s right around the corner. If he’s back by mid-August and looks like himself, Toronto could have a real second-half run in them.

For now, it’s wait and see. But waiting and seeing is a lot more fun when there’s actual progress to track.