Blue Jays Announce Injuries to Santander, Francis, Bieber

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider delivered sobering injury updates on the first day of spring training in Dunedin, Florida, announcing that outfielder Anthony Santander will undergo left labral surgery and miss the next five to six months, while pitchers Bowden Francis and Shane Bieber also face significant setbacks.

Schneider shared the news during a media session on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. Santander, a 31-year-old switch-hitter, suffered a setback last month while ramping up his hitting in preparation for camp. He is scheduled for surgery on Wednesday and could return before the end of the season, according to team reports. The Blue Jays signed Santander to a five-year, $92.5 million contract before the 2025 season, hoping to capitalize on his power-hitting prowess after he slugged 44 home runs for the Baltimore Orioles in 2024. However, injuries limited him to 54 regular-season games that year, where he batted .175 with six home runs and 18 RBIs. A back issue further sidelined him during the postseason, removing him from the American League Championship Series roster after just five games.

The pitching staff took additional hits. Francis, a 28-year-old...