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The Toronto Blue Jays enter the 2026 season because the defending AL East and American League champions. The aim this time round can be to erase the sting of dropping Video games 6 and seven of the World Collection at dwelling, particularly after going to the ninth inning with a lead in Recreation 7. They misplaced Bo Bichette in free company, however in any other case return a powerful workforce for this season.
After which unhealthy information struck proper at first of spring coaching. Oufielder/designated hitter Anthony Santander wants left labral (shoulder) surgical procedure and can miss 5 to 6 months, Blue Jays supervisor John Schneider introduced Tuesday.
Santander, 31, signed a five-year, $92.5 million cope with the Jays final offseason and did not present a lot in his first 12 months. He hit .175/.271/.294 (57 OPS+) with -1.0 WAR in 54 video games. He missed important time, requiring two totally different stints on the injured checklist with left shoulder irritation.
Simply because the Jays did not get something from Santander final season doesn’t suggest they weren’t relying on him this time round, although. The offense misplaced certainly one of its high contributors in Bichette to free company. In seeking to choose up that slack, Santander was one of the vital apparent locations. Now that’s off the desk till previous the midway level of the season.
Third baseman Kazuma Okamoto was signed out of Japan and that is one place the place the Blue Jays will look to alleviate among the Bichette loss. Nathan Lukas and Davis Schneider are additionally choices to see elevated taking part in time. Santander is a switch-hitting outfielder whereas Lukas (left) and Schneider (proper) may platoon in that now-open lineup spot. Additionally keep in mind that accidents held heart fielder Daulton Varsho to simply 71 regular-season video games final 12 months.
That is to say that whereas Santander was being counted on to beef up the offense, the Blue Jays have choices to interchange him and areas the place they will nonetheless choose up the misplaced manufacturing from Bichette’s signing with the Mets and Santander’s surgical procedure.
The Blue Jays gained the AL East over the Yankees final season by way of tiebreaker, as each completed 94-68, tied for one of the best American League file. Baseball Prospectus launched its PECOTA projections on Tuesday and primarily have the 2 groups in a useless warmth atop the AL East once more.
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