Blue Jays Cut Anthony Santander, Ending His ALCS Postseason Run
The Toronto Blue Jays have made a significant roster change as they advance through the postseason. The team will continue without Anthony Santander, who has been removed from their postseason roster due to injury. His absence concludes his postseason run.
Roster Changes for the ALCS
Outfielder Joey Loperfido has been called up to take Santander’s place in the American League Championship Series (ALCS). This roster adjustment was confirmed late Thursday afternoon, coinciding with the end of Santander’s 2025 season.
- Player Removed: Anthony Santander
- Replacement: Joey Loperfido
- Date of Change: October 16, 2025
Anthony Santander’s Struggles
Santander, who was the Blue Jays’ major offseason acquisition this year, faced ongoing health challenges. He appeared in only 54 regular-season games, primarily due to a shoulder injury and later issues with his back. In this postseason, Santander has a batting average of .200 with two RBIs across five playoff games.
His performance included:
- Regular Season Stats: .175 batting average, six home runs
- Wins Above Replacement (WAR): -1.0
- Postseason Stats: .200 average, .450 OPS
Impacts of the Injury
Toronto’s manager, John Schneider, noted that Santander’s discomfort continued to affect his performance. He was a last-minute scratch from the lineup for Game 2 of the ALCS due to persistent back pain. Despite a brief return in Game 3, his condition is cited as a significant limitation moving forward.
In Santander’s absence, Loperfido, who joins the postseason roster just before Game 4, hopes to make an impact. Previously, Loperfido concluded the regular season with an impressive .333 average and .879 OPS in his limited appearances.
Other Injuries Impacting the Team
Adding to the Blue Jays’ challenges, shortstop Bo Bichette is also sidelined with a knee sprain. This injury further complicates Toronto’s quest for success in October without two key contributors.
As the Blue Jays push through the postseason, they hope to compensate for Santander’s absence effectively, leveraging their depth to continue their playoff run. The team’s offensive capabilities have previously shown strength, finishing fourth in the league in runs scored during the regular season.
