Blue Jays remove star slugger from roster for remainder of ALCS against Mariners
The Toronto Blue Jays have officially removed star slugger Anthony Santander from their roster for the remainder of the American League Championship Series (ALCS) against the Seattle Mariners. This decision comes as Santander struggles with a back injury, effectively ending his season.
Injury Note on Anthony Santander
Manager John Schneider announced the roster change ahead of Game 4, which is set to take place on Thursday night. Santander, who is turning 31 this Sunday, has been a key player for the Blue Jays, but his injury limits his participation in this critical playoff round.
Replacement Player
Outfielder Joey Loperfido has been named as Santander’s replacement. Loperfido, 26, has shown potential during the regular season, boasting a .333 batting average along with four home runs and 14 RBIs in 96 at-bats over 41 games.
Season Overview for Santander
- Career-low batting average: .175
- Home runs: 6
- RBIs: 18
- Games played: 54
- Contract: $92.5 million over five years
This season has been particularly challenging for Santander due to injuries. He was previously sidelined from May 29 to September 24 due to left shoulder inflammation. During the postseason, he has managed only two RBIs with a batting average of .200 (3 for 15).
Team Outlook
Despite Santander’s absence, Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman expressed confidence in the team’s capabilities. “It’s next guy up,” Gausman noted. He emphasized the importance of maintaining focus, stating that the team will rally around whoever fills Santander’s role.
The Blue Jays will need to make the most of their roster if they hope to advance further in the ALCS and possibly reach the World Series. This latest development underscores the challenges teams face during the postseason.
