The Toronto Blue Jays are opening spring training with some bad news on the injury front.
Manager John Schneider told reporters Tuesday that outfielder Anthony Santander is set to have left labral surgery and will be out for approximately five to six months.
Additionally, right-hander starter Bowden Francis will undergo UCL reconstruction surgery and miss the 2026 season.
Both Santander and Francis are scheduled for surgery on Wednesday with Dr. Keith Meister.
Schneider said that Santander had a setback when he started ramping up for the season in January.
“After what we dealt with last year, and talking with (Santander), this was the best way to get it back to 100 per cent,” the Blue Jays manager said.
After landing a five-year, $92.5 million deal with Toronto last off-season, Santander battled injuries for much of the year.
Santander missed an extended chunk of the regular season with a shoulder injury suffered on May 29. He returned to the lineup against the Boston Red Sox on Sept. 24 in the Blue Jays’ penultimate series of the season.
After a short return, the 31-year-old ended the year slashing .175/.271/.294 with six homers in 54 games for the Blue Jays.
Santander was on Toronto’s post-season roster for its ALDS matchup against the New York Yankees and the ALCS, but was eventually replaced in the series versus the Seattle Mariners due to lumbar spine inflammation.
Francis, meanwhile, ended 2025 on the injured list after battling early-season inconsistencies.
The 29-year-old hit the IL in June with a right shoulder impingement after carrying a 6.05 ERA through 64 innings. Francis was unable to return to the mound in games, but did pitch in Toronto as the team hosted intrasquad contests to stay ready for the ALDS.
Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said that Francis suffered the latest injury in his ramp-up for 2026 and that the starter felt it on one specific pitch.
His disappointing 2025 season came on the heels of a 2024 breakout. Francis was a bright spot for the Blue Jays in 2024, posting a 3.30 ERA over 103.2 innings.
Pitchers and catchers are set to officially report for 2026 spring training in Dunedin, Fla., on Wednesday morning as the Blue Jays return to the field after their pennant-winning season.
